American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers
Fall Conference October 18, 19, 2007
Best Western Island Palms Hotel and Marina, San Diego, CA



AICAE Conference, Day 1 – October 18, 2007

1) The Conference was called to order at 8:40 am and opening remarks and agenda review were given by Jeffrey Begay, President

2) Attendees at the opening session were: Jeffrey Begay, Lou Weller, Millie Weller, Millie Weller, Burke Wyatt, David Garce, Bob Outland, Mike Holleyman, Janet Deer Tifrea, Autumn Deer Byer, Kim Silentman, Beverly Diddy, Margie Moran (BIA), Steven Lewis (GSA), Lynn Paxton (Ph.D)

3) Mr. Jeff Begay offered the opening prayer

4) Ms. Margie Moran, (BIA) provided an updated on BIA work in Washington D.C. lead by Mr. Jack Revers; updates on Indian Affairs Programs and FI &R, with highlights on replacement facilities, facilities repairs and deferred maintenance schedules. 70 schools remain in poor condition and $1.8 billion dollars for replacement. Mr. Revers wants master plan for detention facilities with cost escalation.

5) Mr. Steven Lewis, AIA, NOMA President (GSA) discussed opportunities for work with GSA, and reviewed projects for GSA; he also highlighted the Committee on Excellence program with GSA and had several examples of projects which highlighted that program. He suggested that attendees look into www.FedBizOps.gov web site to keep current on opportunities for work with GSA.

6) AICAE to provide letter of appreciation to GSA for the presentation of Mr. Lewis, highlighting the value of information he shared.

7) AICAE members were encouraged to become members of the GSA Committee on Excellence

8) Mr. Lewis also discussed the benefits of current programs such as BIM (Building Information Modeling)


Conference lunch break.


9) Jan Tifrea presented information on her firm (Albert Kahn Associates) and several notable projects she has completed

10) Beverly Diddy was the next presenter, and provided information on her firm (BDA) and several projects and work which she is currently involved

11) David Garce provided information on general LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) topics, then specific information on 2 of the credits


12) Bob Outland presented the overview of the new BIA School Facilities Design Handbook he developed, and provided both hard copies and CD’s of the Handbook for members. A great work of compiling and updating information for designers in working with BIA Schools projects.

13) Meeting was adjourned at 5:00, for a group dinner at The Fish Market. Mr. Weller took care of the tab.


AICAE Conference, Day 2 – October 19, 2007

1) Opening Prayer by David Garce

2) Discussion from AICAE attendees - lead by Jeff Begay - was held regarding AICAE scholarships. One Scholarship of $1000 is to be awarded to Seaman Tel Francisco (UNM Chapter; one scholarship each of $500 were given to Diedra Uvella and $500 Michelle Johnson. Thank you letters from the recipients are to be posted on the AICAE website. Noted that Lou Weller, David Sloan, Michelle Pfifer, Jill McInteer, and the Albuquerque AICAE Chapter members, contributed $100 each for the additional scholarship funds.

3) Kim Silentman Kanuho presented information from the Dell Web School of Construction Management on the past (May 22 - 23, 2007) and the upcoming Construction In Indian Country (May 12 – 14, 2008) to be held in Ft. McDowell, AZ. Discussion regarding AICAE to sponsor a panel discussion during the conference was held with consensus that it would be a good idea to have it proceed. AICAE Board of Directors to follow up and make plans.

4) Business reports and Committee reports as follows
a. Treasurer’s report was read by Mike Holleyman, Treasurer, was voted upon and accepted.
b. Lou Weller reported on the Student Chapter at the University of New Mexico. UNM meetings are being held monthly with about 10 students attending; recruiting for new members from the architecture and planning fields is being done. UNM has 10 Indian Student organizations on campus, all vying for Indian membership.
c. The Membership committee report was made by Mike Holleyman, and discussion about updating the AICAE directory was held. The directory was circulated during the conference for members to mark up their directory information for Mike to update.
5) Burke Wyatt reported that member Waite Aikens called Burke and reported that he was well and doing fine.

6) Lynn Paxon was voted in a s full member (Adopted by Mike Holleyman)

7) ASU Chapter membership criteria was discussed and deemed it should be the same as UNM Chapter requirements (Written essay, 3.0 GPS, Fulltime student in Architecture)

8) It was also reported that member Larry Olson, was fine and doing well, but has downsized his business size and volume

9) Motion to support UNM with a scholarship of $1000 for year 2008, proposed by Lou Weller. Motion to accept by M. Holleyman; 2nd by Lynn Paxon; vote carried; Kitchell Construction to also contribute (per Jeff Begay)

10) Membership Committee Report: (Lynn Paxon) Lynn will edit and compile new list for Spring Conference 08 with Old members, non-paid members, current members. There was discussion about the need for professional development classes during the AICAE conferences which would also serve as CEU credits for professional registration; and publicizing the successes of AICAE members.

11) Discussion regarding the AICAE Newsletter to be revived; add paid advertizing; D Garce to email ideas for general AICAE information and specific practice principals for potential AICAE conference topics; mass email and web site posting of next meeting with agenda as it develops.

12) Jan Trifea accepted assignment to be CEU coordinator for spring conference. AICAE Members to provide Jan with CEU topic ideas

13) Spring 2008 conference was discussed as to the location and time. It was moved and voted upon to hold the conference June 12th, 13th 2008 in Washington, D.C. The conference coordinator will be determined, but assignments were made as follows:

Garce to coordinate with GSA (Steven Lewis)
Weller to coordinate with HIS (Grover)
Holleyman to coordinate with BIA (Rever)
Garce to connect with Fred Cooper for possible contacts development for Spring Meeting (Congressional people, Departments, etc.)
Cooper to coordinate specific issues with AICAE and develop congressional contacts for AICAE conference
Possible hotel accommodations would be Capitol Holiday Inn

14) Jeff Begay reported on the Del Web School of Construction Management and the conference of Construction in Indian Country to be held in Ft. McDowell on May 21-23, 2007. Discussion about the lawyer input and influence in owner/designer/contractor relationship was held. Mike Holleyman, Jeff Begay, Lou Weller, and David Sloan to help organize a 1-1/2 hour panel discussion for the conference. Discussion was held regarding the conference booth cost ($675) and the need for a write up of the presentation and purpose needs to be completed by the end of December. AICAE should have handouts, large plots, looped power point computer presentation. Des Atcity led the discussion for the need for students to participate in the conference. Discussion was supported by Mike Holleyman and Tamara Begay to have a UNM/AICAE unified booth (2 contiguous booths) at the conference. AICAE to provide $675 budget to UNM-AICAE for transportation costs for students to attend the conference.

15) AICAE to provide members for a panel for Construction In Indian Country (CIIC) to be held at Ft. McDowell in May 2008). Motion to approve by Bob Outland and Jan Trifea, vote to accept offer for panel, carried. Members to include: Outland, Holleyman, Garce, Begay – Moderator, Diddy.

16) Kimberly Kanuho to make a DRAFT Memorandum of Understanding with Del Web School of Construction Management. Steve Lewis (AIA, GSA and AICAE new Member) to provide a sample MOU

17) AICAE Fall Conference was adjourned at 12:00 and will reconvene at 8:30 am, June 12th, 13th 2008 in Washington, D.C.