<h4><b>By MIKE MCCOMBS</b></h4>
Beaufort’s Jane Frederick, FAIA, was inaugurated as the President of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) on Dec. 13 in Washington, D.C.

Frederick is the 96th President of the 162-year-old organization, which “works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities,” according to its website. She is, however, just the fifth woman to hold the office.

“It’s a pretty big deal,” Frederick said. “It’s an international organization, and I’m in the position to set the tone for what we do. I’m pretty excited.”

With more than 200 international, state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that “promote economic vitality and public well-being.”

Calling her election an “honor and a privilege,” Frederick said in a release. “As I step into this role, I’m asking what will happen for us in this next year. At this moment in the world’s history, the answer couldn’t be more clear, that 2020 must be the year architects assert our leadership and have a meaningful impact in climate action.”

Frederick has lived in Beaufort for 31 years.

“My children were born and raised here,” she said. “I consider myself a Beaufortonian.”

Beaufort’s Frederick + Frederick Architects – where she is a principal – specializes in custom residences and has earned 18 state and local design awards. It was honored with AIA South Carolina’s 2017 Firm Award as well as Southern Living Magazine’s Best Renovation of 2009.

Frederick has held several positions at the AIA – 2019 first vice president; South Atlantic Regional representative on the Strategic Council; at-large director on the National Board; and president of AIA South Carolina. She has served on the AIA Small Firm Round Table Executive Committee and NAAB Accreditation teams, as well.

She earned her Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University. Licensed in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi, Frederick is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and holds LEED AP certification.

The AIA, with 95,000 members, elects presidents on an annual basis. Frederick was elected in July 2018 in New York, and will serve as the Institute’s president until Dec. 4, 2020.

“To create a future with better buildings, better communities and a better world, we have to be flexible, nimble and seize opportunities to turn dilemmas into advantages,” Frederick said when elected. “As architects, when we are at our best, we don’t talk about the future – we create it.”