The Arizona component of the American Institute of Architects announced the 2008 Firm of the Year, recognizing the continuing collaboration among individuals in a firm who have produced distinguished architecture over a period of ten years, and have made significant contributions to the Institute, the profession and their community at the Celebrate Architecture gala in the Phoenix Art Museum. The recipient, Ryden Architects Inc., was chosen by a jury of AIA architects from South Carolina. Founded in 1984, Ryden Architects has provided their clients, colleagues and communities of the Southwest with a blend of professional services in architects, planning and historic preservation.

Matthew Hake was named principal at Moran Architects. Hake has over 13 years experience in architecture, working on projects ranging from schools and universities to sustainable/regenerative developments and world class spas - even recently living abroad serving as the lead construction administrator for eight separate Moran Architects projects for a valued client. His responsibilities include integration and implementation of energy efficient, sustainable designs on local and international projects.

NTD Architecture has hired Charles Lemasters as project architect and Antwain Patrick as job captain to the firm’s Phoenix education department. Lemasters is a 12-year industry veteran and is both NCARB certified and a registered architect in Arizona and Indiana. He earned his bachelor of architecture and bachelor of science degrees from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and has since contributed to many notable K-12 projects. Antwain, a nine-year industry veteran, earned his bachelor of science in building construction management from Michigan State University and is experienced in education, commercial, residential and multi-family design.

Matthew Weinman has re-joined TWC Construction as director of business development. One of TWC’s original founding members in 1998, Weinman left in 2006 to perform construction management and consulting services for several local developers. His responsibilities will include managing marketing, estimating and pre-construction services.

The Nevada Contractors Association named Paitaka “Pat” Miyahira, president of Maui One Excavating Inc., to its board of directors. The Nevada Contractors Association is a nonprofit industry trade group representing the state’s oldest, largest and most prominent contractors.

Gilbane Building Company has named Amanda Elliott marketing and public relations manager of its Arizona-Nevada region. In this position, Elliott will manage all marketing and public relations efforts including but not limited to market planning, strategic initiative implementation, media relations, tradeshow management, special event coordination and proposal/presentation development. She brings Gilbane Building Company more than seven years marketing experience within the construction industry. Elliott holds a bachelor of science in marketing.

J.B. Henderson Construction Co. president Rob Biedermann and estimating manager Jason Lermuseaux recently received LEED Accreditation for New Construction from the USGBC. The exam confirmed their understanding of the LEED Green Building Rating System to rate the environmental responsibility of a building during and after construction.

Jorge A. Pierson, AIA, senior architect, and Jason R. Martin, project manager, have recently joined the CSHQA team and will staff the Phoenix office. They have more than 30 years of combined experience in the industry. Pierson has been a major influence to the design, construction and development industry in the Phoenix area since 1983. He has completed various project from corporate prototypes to one-of-a-kind retail centers. Other areas of project expertise include industrial, residential and resort. He earned his bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Arizona. He is certified by NCARB and is a member of the AIA.

Martin received his associates of applied science in CAD from ITT Technical Institute. He initially joined CSHQA in 1995. Recently, as owner and managing partner of his own firm, he successfully completed 50-70 residential and commercial projects annually.

To submit personnel news announcements, please send information and color photographs to: Scott Blair, editor, at scott_blair@mcgraw-hill.com.