TRENTON, N.J. – Kurt Kalafsky, AIA, was installed as secretary at the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) recent annual awards dinner at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, N.J.

The annual event celebrates the top achievements among architects and architectural companies throughout the state.

Kalafsky, a resident of Howell, N.J., is a founding principal and chief technology officer of The Aztec Corporation and Aztec Architects LLC and a registered architect in 28 states and the District of Columbia.  His responsibilities include integrating the latest technology, business development, project management, supervision and production of technical and computer-aided drafting and design for clients’ facility needs.  Kalafsky attended Syracuse University School of Architecture, and holds a bachelor of architecture degree from New York Institute of Technology.

Iselin, N.J.-based Aztec Architects LLC, specializes in creating a better approach to the traditional disciplines of architecture in the business world. Their portfolio consists of projects varying in sizes up to 350,000 square feet, including professional, corporate, educational, institutional, hospitality, retail and research and development facilities.

Other newly installed officers include Jason Kliwinski, AIA, LEED AP and director of sustainable design with the Spiezle Group in Trenton, who was installed as president; Laurence E. Parisi, AIA, owner and president of Laurence E. Parisi P.C. Architects in North Bergen, N.J., who was installed as first vice president; Jack Purvis, AIA, owner of Jack A. Purvis-Architect in Allenwood, N.J., who was installed as second vice president; Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, LEED AP and director of design at gk+a Architects PC in Rutherford, N.J., who was installed as immediate past president; Justin A. Mihalik, AIA, principal at J.A. Mihalik Architect LLC in Livingston, N.J., who was installed as treasurer; David Del Vecchio, AIA, LEED AP, owner of David Del Vecchio, Architect, LLC in Cranford, N.J., who was installed as regional director; and Lauren Marie Thomson, Associate AIA, project manager with Mark Hermann Construction Inc. in Manasquan, N.J., who was installed as regional associate director.

AIA helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. The organization was created in 1857. Today, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and nearly 300 local chapters, the organization represents 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals.

AIA New Jersey is statewide chapter of the national AIA. The chapter was formed in 1900, uniting the architects of the state by merging the AIA Chapter with the New Jersey Society of Architects. The AIA-NJ chapter has six local sections, which include Architects League of Northern New Jersey, Central Jersey, Newark and Suburban, Jersey Shore, South Jersey and West Jersey. Each section is independent and runs local events and programs for its members.

About AIA and AIA New Jersey
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. The organization, which was founded in 1857, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 86,000 licensed architects and associated professionals. AIA New Jersey, based in Trenton, is the local chapter of AIA. In 2000, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. AIA New Jersey has about 2,000 members in six regional sections. For more information, please visit www.aia-nj.org.

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