Message from the AFO Executive Director

Erica Rife
Executive Director, Architecture Foundation of Oregon

On Tuesday, October 10th, community members from the architecture, engineering, and construction industry gathered at the Oregon Convention Center for the annual Honored Citizen celebration. This year’s event was particularly meaningful as it celebrated the 30th anniversary of the award and honored a highly impactful member of our community, Hermann Colas, Jr. The evening was deeply moving, featuring tributes of many friends and family members of Mr. Colas that described how his determination and grit led to a display of representation and leadership in the industry.

As AFO’s new Executive Director, I worked with our team and board to ensure the success of the event over the course of the year. Since joining AFO and learning that it would be our 30th anniversary, the words that kept coming to mind were collective impact. Over 30 years, individuals and organizations have been identified by AFO as making an impact on the state of Oregon’s designed and built community. What, then, was the collective impact of these honorees over the course of the 30 years?

Early on, it was relayed to me that the Honored Citizens selected were not necessarily architects, engineers, and contractors, but those who have been pivotal in the advancement of the AEC industry in the state. Audience members received a booklet that highlighted the 30 years of Honored Citizens, with each honoree categorized in their field of impact. From philanthropists to advocacy workers to community organizations, it is clear that the designed and built ecosystem in Oregon does not exist in isolation. The collection of these honorees allows us to view the deep value that our expansive community gives to the growth and excellence of our state. Several past honorees and their families were in the audience, including Artist Lillian Pitt (2022 Honoree), Architect Don Stastny (2017 Honoree), Urban Naturalist Mike Houck (2005 Honoree), Jonathan Nicholas representing Cycle Oregon (2010 Honoree), and the families of Developer and Philanthropist Bob Gerding (2006 Honoree), Architect Pietro Bellusci (1996 Honoree), and Architect Robert Frasca (2004 Honoree).

We knew that the 30th anniversary of our event deserved a special honoree. Hermann Colas, Jr. was AFO’s first contractor honoree, and his impact is known throughout the city of Portland and state of Oregon. We were so pleased to have the opportunity to honor that legacy through our most prestigious annual award. Over the course of the evening, we heard from Hermann’s family members Aneshka Colas, Andrew Colas, Alex Colas, and Marc-Daniel Domond, along with leaders in the community Karis Stoudamire-Phillips (MODA Health), Stephen Percy (PSU), Kimberly Branam (Prosper Portland), Chandra Robinson (LEVER Architecture), and Michael Alexander (Albina Vision Trust), who made powerful tributes illustrating Hermann’s dedication to his family, work in building housing and community spaces for North and Northeast Portland residents, and his love for his Haitian home and heritage.

View the Video Tribute to Hermann Colas, Jr

The evening highlighted the importance of representation in and access to the AEC industry. Sharon Alitema, Project Engineer at Colas Construction and 2022 AFO Hatfield Scholar, delivered a powerful address that described her journey from Uganda to Portland by way of her studies at the University of Oregon. Through many occurrences of institutions “taking a chance” on her, Sharon has landed on the COLAS team and is able to bring her talents, passion for community, and authentic self to work.

Nate McCoy, AFO Board Member and Executive Director of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) Oregon, presented the Hermann Colas, Jr. Legacy Scholarship, a joint scholarship with NAMC and AFO that will fund construction and engineering students in the state of Oregon. Nate, who is also a former AFO Hatfield Scholar, recounted the importance of scholarships as an investment in emerging professionals and an opportunity for access to the industry in order to diversify and expand excellence.

The evening showed me the power that community holds in advancing our industry forward, and how AFO has risen to meet community needs. Like our scholarships, each program that AFO runs had pivotal individuals at the helm, identifying the needs of the community and working with AFO to design responsive and equitable programming that serve the architect, engineer, contractor, or design enthusiast throughout their academic, professional, and personal lifespan.

Importantly, the needs of the community are changing, and AFO is changing with it. These changes were made by creating space to listen to folks whose voices have most often been silenced, overlooked, or underserved. Inclusive programming, including our inaugural distribution of the Tsagaglalal Scholarship to Native American art and architecture students at PSU and the statewide expansion of Architects in Schools to serve more rural and Title I schools, are ensuring that our industry continues to thrive with more voices at the design table. The resulting, contemporary AFO, is a reflection of the combined effort towards mission fulfillment by way of the community, and that community was radiating with energy at the 30th anniversary Honored Citizen celebration. I am pleased and humbled to be welcomed so warmly to this position and this work and look forward to many Honored Citizens to come!