Chicago, IL—During its 2024 Annual Business Meeting, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ (NCARB) members elected two at-large directors to the organization’s Board of Directors. This is an additional step in a larger governance structure reform commenced over several years, aimed at creating new pathways to national leadership.

The opportunity to run for FY25 at-large director positions resulted in a large and diverse slate, with 10 candidates running for the two open positions—including individuals with and without service on an NCARB licensing board. While Board eligibility had been historically limited to those who served on a licensing board, a governance change last year added at-large seats with eligibility either by licensing board service or two years of committee service. These two at-large directors join four other new board members who fill seats reserved for regional and Member Board Executive directors, resulting in six of 14 seats being occupied by new board members.

At-Large Director Kevin J. Singh, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB, brings the voice of an educator to the NCARB Board of Directors, and At-Large Director Coffee Polk, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, offers a new perspective as an NCARB volunteer. 

“I am thrilled to welcome new voices to the Board,” said FY25 NCARB President Kenneth R. Van Tine, AIA, NCARB LEED AP. “Having a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and insights is especially valuable this year as we re-evaluate and re-envision our programs and the path to licensure.”

Passed by membership at the 2023 Annual Business Meeting, NCARB’s updated governance structure includes a reduction of two officer positions on the Board of Directors in exchange for the addition of two new at-large director positions.

NCARB is in the middle of a multi-year transition to this new governance structure, with the first stage of implementation going into effect with the election of this year’s at-large directors and consolidation of the secretary and treasurer positions on the Board. The process will continue with the elimination of the organization’s second vice president position, which goes into effect in June 2026.

Together, these changes widen the pool of candidates eligible to serve on the Board of Directors, streamline the time needed to progress through NCARB leadership to the presidency by removing two officer positions and balance representation on the Board.

The updates to NCARB’s governance structure are the culmination of several years of work by NCARB’s member and volunteer community, which was initiated by NCARB’s grassroots Diversity Collaborative. In June 2022, FY23 NCARB President Bayliss Ward, NCARB, AIA, created a volunteer-led Governance Work Group, which worked with the Board of Directors and NCARB membership to develop several options for consideration.

Learn more about volunteering for NCARB or serving on your local licensing board.