Here's what you get:

• Field Notes
• Nuts & Bolts
• Highlights
• Workshops & Gatherings
• What We're Up To
• Amazing sponsors who help keep this newsletter free for the industry.

Let's dive in.

AIBD is proud to announce Brandon Clokey of Clokey Companies in Ohio as our incoming AIBD President! Since joining AIBD four years ago, Brandon has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and leadership within the Institute, serving as Chairman of the Conference Committee, Chair of the Editorial Board, and a key contributor to the ARDA Committee. Coming off his distinguished recognition as last year’s Designer of the Year, Brandon brings a clear vision, deep industry insight, and boundless enthusiasm to lead our community into its next chapter of growth.

Source: AIBD

The AIBD is proud to announce the induction of two exceptional leaders into the AIBD College of Fellows:

• Paul Cole | Cole Design Studios (South Carolina)
• Kevin Holdridge | KDH Residential Designs (North Carolina)

Fellowship is one of the highest honors bestowed by AIBD, recognizing members who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to the residential design profession, leadership within the Institute, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Please join us in congratulating Paul and Kevin on reaching this distinguished milestone in their careers! 👏🎉

Source: AIBD

The 2026 American Residential Design Awards were celebrated on Saturday evening in Cleveland, Ohio, where the ARDA Committee honored 58 firms and more than 100 outstanding projects from across the country.

Source: AIBD

We are thrilled to announce John Fought as the 2026 AIBD Designer of the Year!

For 35 years, John has been a dedicated leader, steady guide, and passionate advocate for our profession. From his pivotal leadership as President of the Certification Council—steering the early groundwork toward ANSI accreditation—to his recent service as Chancellor of the College of Fellows, John has spent decades raising the standard for residential design.

Please join us in celebrating John for his incredible persistence, loyalty, and lasting impact on our community and industry!

Source: AIBD

Garrett has played a pivotal role in driving AIBD's technical advancements in communication and member engagement. Through countless hours of dedicated effort, he has transformed and streamlined the Institute's education delivery and reporting, and our members' online presence, raising our professionalism and expanding our reach. His unwavering commitment, creative innovation, and quiet leadership have earned him this well-deserved recognition from the AIBD Board of Directors, NCBDC, and staff.

Source: AIBD

We are proud to announce Sam Liberti, FAIBD, CPBD, as the new Chancellor of the College of Fellows! Bringing more than 40 years of residential design expertise across Georgia and South Carolina—alongside his past service as AIBD President—Sam embodies the pinnacle of industry leadership and dedication to our craft.

Source: AIBD

The meeting was held to update members and associates on organizational activities, financial status, future plans, introduce incoming officers and board members, and discuss key operational and committee reports for the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD).

Source: AIBD

Designing a home from hundreds—or thousands—of miles away comes with a unique set of headaches, but you don't have to reinvent the wheel to make it work. Seven design pros share their field-tested strategies for keeping long-distance builds running smoothly.

Source: Business of Home

Rick Gibbs, Scale and Sketch, LLC (AL), Corporate Member

This week's movers and shakers:

Thank you! Gold Member, Benjamin Tabolt, for sending us a new Corporate Member! 🎉🥳

James Klippel | CPBD | Professional | GA | for celebrating 20 years.

Dale J Burke | Professional | LA | and
​George Sanchez | Professional | TX |

for celebrating 10 years

and...

Nancy Newcomb | Professional | OK | and

Kara Desaro | CPBD | Professional | AZ | and

Jill Verhaagh | Professional | WI | 8/30/2021

for reaching the 5-year mark! 🎉🎊

Molly Rothenberg, CPBD #41-120, Peartree Homes, Charleston, SC (7/8)

Certification demonstrates a professional's mastery of industry-specific experience and knowledge.

Special congratulations to...
​Kathryn M. Joiner CPBD | 20-102 | ME |

for celebrating 30 years!

and

Ron Ressler CPBD, CAPS | 23-116 | MI |

for celebrating 20 years!

🎊🎉

Thank you for your expertise, commitment, and passion for enriching our field and setting a high standard for those who follow in your footsteps.

August 5 - Board of Directors CANCELED!

August 7 - AIBD Office Hour (Virtual) - 11:00 am ET - 60 minutes (or so) of open discussion and collaboration (Members Only)

Registration Open: September 24 - AIBD Colorado Connect - 9 am to 4 pm - Douglas County Libraries, 100 S. Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO, 80104

August 14 - Coffee with Bernie - 10:00 a.m. ET - Collaborating with Interior Designers (1.0 P3 CE)

August 18 - ​High-Performance Homes Team​ - 2:00 p.m. ET - Passive Survivability (1.0 P4 CE)

August 25 - CE Watch Party - 2:00 p.m. ET (45 min) - Top Recommended Books on Sketching & Drawing for Designers (1.0 P3 CE)

AEC Daily - ​Look for in-person and virtual events.

CEDIA Expo 2026 - September 1-4, 2026 - Denver, CO - Registration is open!​

Chief Architect - Virtual & On-Demand Training

Green Home Institute - ​Look for in-person and virtual events.

SoftPlan - Virtual & On-Demand Training​

Traditional Building Conference - November 3-4, 2026 - Charleston, SC. Registration is Open​

​MiTek,

​National Association of Home Builders​

​RL Mace Universal Design Institute

​Scale and Sketch, LLC, Shelter​

​SoftPlan Systems​