In an effort to fill its leadership void caused by the departure of former CEO Lakisha Woods, the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) has announced that former Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA will be serving as the organization’s interim chief executive until such time as a permanent replacement to the AIA’s new EVP and CEO can be found.

The Washington, D.C.-based Institute appointed Ayers to provide a familiar and experienced hand that will now help guide the influential industry group as it searches for its next leader. 

Ayers had previously served in the Capitol architect role under President Obama and made headlines in 2018 when he stepped down with two years yet to go in his decade-long appointment. 

Prior to his position as the AOC head, Ayers held a number of junior administrative positions within the office beginning with his appointment assistant superintendent for Senate Office Buildings in 1997 and culminating in his official confirmation as the 11th Architect of the Capitol in 2010, three years after being named as the acting chief by then-president George W. Bush.

Ayers served in the Air Force between 1985 and 1988 and has been working as the president of his own self-named consulting group since leaving public office in 2018. 

“Stephen is a proven, trusted and highly-respected industry leader who will ensure a seamless transition and maintain the Institute’s positive momentum advancing building science and technology to serve the public interest,” NIBS chairwoman Anne Ellis said in a statement.

Like his predecessor, Ayers is a graduate of the University of Maryland and also holds a Master’s in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in addition to an honorary doctorate of Public Design from the Boston Architectural College, which was bestowed in 2013. Ayers served as chair of the NIBS board between 2017 and 2018 and is currently on the board of several leading CRE industry associations, including the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine in addition to his role as a Project Executive for the AIA.