2026 Slate of Electors

The VANOMA Nominations Committee has confirmed the 2026 Slate of Electors for the upcoming board election that will take place virtually from September 15th through September 30th, 2026. The following esteemed candidates will be on the ballot for 2026. Please take a moment to learn more about their passions and vision prior to submitting your vote.

Voting privileges are available to all active (fully paid) VANOMA members. You will receive a link via email to cast your ballot. Results will be announced at on September 30th.

VICE PRESIDENT

One open position | One candidate

Brian Gore, AIA, NOMA, LEED GA holds a Bachelors of Architecture from Fairmont State University and a Masters of Architecture from Virginia Tech. He currently works as an Architect at Gensler in Richmond, Virginia.

SECRETARY

One open position | No candidates

Write-in candidates accepted.

TREASURER

One open position | One candidate

Kelly Lersch is an Architectural Representative at Nello Wall Systems in Norfolk, Virginia with a degree in Finance from the University of Maryland and a postgraduate degree from the University of Virginia in Sustainability.

PARLIAMENTARIAN

One open position | One candidate

For the past two years, Daya Irene Taylor, Ph.D., NOMA, AIA has served as Virginia NOMA’s Parliamentarian, providing guidance on parliamentary procedure, bylaws, and organizational governance. With more than 30 years of experience studying and applying Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, she is also a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians and President of the Magic in Motion Parliamentary Unit.

As Parliamentarian, Daya’s focus for the coming term includes supporting the revision and adoption of updated Virginia NOMA bylaws to improve clarity, strengthen governance, and better align with the chapter’s current operations. She also plans to introduce The Gavel Wrap, a recurring newsletter feature designed to help members better understand parliamentary procedure, organizational governance, and effective leadership practices.

A registered architect, educator, and industry leader, Dr. Taylor currently serves as Senior Project Manager and Florida Educational Design Lead with Larson Design Group and as National Chair of the NOMA Educate Committee. Her previous leadership roles include NOMA National Secretary, Architecture Department Chair at Hampton University, and Interim Dean and Architecture Department Head at Tuskegee University. Through her continued service, she remains committed to strengthening the governance framework that supports Virginia NOMA’s mission and membership.

AT-LARGE DIRECTOR

Four open positions | Four candidates

Sidney Griffin requests your consideration for the position of At-Large Director with the VANOMA board for the 2026-2027 term. This 1-year appointment would be complimented by his AIA Central Virginia Presidency (2025) where he capitalized on opportunities to synergize efforts to support our architecture community. At the conclusion of the At-Large Director term, Sidney's intent is to pursue other positions on the VANOMA board in future nomination seasons.

In the At-Large Director role, Sidney intends to serve at the direction of the President to bring awareness of our profession to a diverse public and encourage and support minority students in pursuit of architecture as a profession. His past contributions to VANOMA, including participating in the last 5 years of Project Pipeline and volunteering time to Hampton University for presentations and portfolio review.  Sidney has worked in architecture for 25+ years in a myriad of roles and responsibilities, including 22 years alongside Kim Thompson Smith at VMDO where he worked his way to the position of Director of Digital Technology. Sidney's current occupation as BIM Project Manager for the University of Virginia's Facilities Management department has helped him to round out his perspective of the architecture profession from service to served and to identify where organizations like VANOMA can offer resources, guidance, and support.  

Sidney considers current, past, and future board members dear colleagues and friends and he looks forward to serving the NOMA community with all of you.

Sangyoon Park is a Korean-American healthcare architect working and living in Alexandria, VA with a passion for promoting professional development and diversity both within and outside her office, HCM. Sangyoon has lived in Virginia her whole life, including undergraduate at UVA and graduate school at VT (WAAC). Over the past three years, she has joined VANOMA and helped push through events and initiatives. For example, she partnered with AIA NOVA to organize a joint Spring Social at the WAAC in Alexandria in 2023. Over the past year as part of VANOMA's Professional Development Committee, Sangyoon co-chaired a presentation called "Charting Your Course" that was live in all 5 regions of Virginia for a shared virtual and in-person ambitious event. In the coming year, she hopes to do even more to help VANOMA grow and give members the tools to flourish on their professional journeys.

Starting in NOMAS as an undergraduate at UVA, Sangyoon found a passion for equity early. Through her previous two firms she has helped with forming DEI groups and executing initiatives. Sangyoon also helped form an office group called “Emerge” for emerging professionals across the firm. They prepared skills learning presentations such as communication, conducted surveys, and prepared a licensure and certification presentation that also spun off into several study groups - of which she led a LEED & WELL AP study group covering each chapter or concept in chunks. Sangyoon believes she could help bring the right resources to VANOMA members who are on the path to licensure and help promote what is possible. Her own journey to licensure has helped shape the architect she is and put her on a path to success. Sangyoon wishes to help similarly push others up in the field of architecture and design.

Eliezer Lee is an Associate- Technical Designer at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in the Washington D.C. area with a degree from the University of Virginia in Urban & Environmental Planning and Architecture.

Ananth Jayaraj (AJ) is a Project Designer at VIA Design in Norfolk, Virginia and LEED Green Associate who holds a Bachelors of Architecture from Virginia Tech.

Thank you for reading more about the VANOMA 2026 Slate of Electors for the board election that will take place virtually from September 15th through September 30th, 2026. Voting privileges are available to all active (fully paid) VANOMA members. You will receive a link via email to cast your ballot. Results will be announced on September 30th.

More information about elections results coming soon!

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