2026 Leadership

Zach Herbst, AIA

Zach Herbst, AIA

AIA Ohio Senior Early Professional Director

MSA Design
316 W. Fourth St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513.241.5666

Sarah Vala, Assoc. AIA

Sarah Vala, Assoc. AIA

AIA Ohio Junior Early Professional Director

IKM Architecture
1001 Huron Rd. E, Ste. 102
Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: 878.999.2289

Maggie Beecroft, AIA

Maggie Beecroft, AIA

AIA Ohio Young Architects Forum Representative

Champlin Architecture
500 Mooring Ln., Apt. 1C
Dayton, OH 45458

AIA Ohio Early Professional Friendly Firm Designation

This AIA Ohio program celebrates firms who offer exceptional support and opportunities for their early professionals. Additionally, the program seeks to foster a dialogue within firms across the state with the objective of creating new policies and practices that promote innovation, development, and progressive workplaces for the future members of the design profession. AIA Ohio expects that early professionals will consider firms that have earned this designation to assist them as they look match their skills with firms’ values as they seek employment.

For a list of 2025 EP Friendly Firms, click here
Click here to see the EPFF Survey Questions and Point Values

What is an 'Early Professional'?

 

An early professional is defined as someone who is part of the architectural staff, has been working in the architectural profession for 10 years or less and fills one of the following roles: architectural student intern, recent graduate, unlicensed emerging professional, or recently licensed architect.. Early Professionals may be referred to as “EPs” in this program.

Application opens January 30, verification must be complete by March 16

 

How do I apply for the EP Friendly Firm designation for my firm?

Applicants will be required to complete a 56 question survey worth 106 possible points that includes questions from across 6 categories. These questions cover an array of areas critical to developing EP Friendly Firms. The survey is open from Jan. 30 through March 16.  Applications will be scored and firms will be notified by March 31.

What firms are eligible?

  • All architecture firms that have an office in the state of Ohio meeting the requirements outlined below are eligible to apply. Firms with more than one Ohio location shall apply for each office location separately.
  • A majority (more than 50%) of the principals in the firm or local office submitting are members of the AIA.
  • A percentage (more than 33%) of the Early Professionals, as defined above, in the firm or local office submitting are members of the AIA. If no individual meeting the early professional criteria is currently employed the firm is still allowed to apply.
  • The firm is current with AIA Ohio supplemental dues requirements.
  • The firm does not utilize any unpaid labor as defined in the AIA Ohio Unpaid Labor Policy.

How will firms be recognized?

There are two designations possible that a firm may receive. The Early Professional Friendly Firm Designation and the Early Professional Friendly Firm Plus+ Designation.

 

EP Friendly Firm

 

EP Friendly Firm Designation is earned by receiving a passing score of 70% (75 points) or above through the EP Friendly Firm questionnaire.

EP Friendly Firm Plus+

 

EP Friendly Firm Plus+ Designation is earned by receiving a score of 80% (85 points) or above.

How will firms be recognized?

There are two designations possible that a firm may receive. The Early Professional Friendly Firm Designation and the Early Professional Friendly Firm Plus+ Designation.

 

EP Friendly Firm

 

EP Friendly Firm Designation is earned by receiving a passing score of 70% (55 points) or above through the EP Friendly Firm questionnaire.

EP Friendly Firm Plus+

 

EP Friendly Firm Plus+ Designation is earned by receiving a score of 80% (63 points) or above, and was in the top 5% of scored questionnaires.

Apply for EP Friendly Firm Designation