010 Vernon Reed

The fourth presenter we would like to introduce is Vernon Reed, FAIA.  Vernon has led numerous academic, social, civic and professional organizations; among them, the 650-member KC-AIA, the 1500-member Missouri AIA and he represented the 4000-member Central States AIA as its director on the national Board of Directors. He has served on and chaired numerous local, state, and national AIA committees including the national Environmental Education, Energy and Environmental Quality, Building Performance and Regulations and Professional Liability committees; and was Commissioner for the new Committee On The Environment, which created the Green Movement in American architecture.

He received the AIA Missouri Distinguished Service Award, as well as the Outstanding Cadet Award presented by the Commandant of AFROTC Training Camp for advanced cadets from universities throughout the nation, Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of Arkansas AFROTC, and Cadet Colonel (Wing Commander.) In the Air Force he was appointed to take charge of extensive construction projects that transformed Camp Cooke Army Base into Vandenberg AFB where all US satellites are launched for polar orbit, and received commendations from the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff of the USAF, the Commander of SAC, and the Base Commander.

After working for Kivett & Myers for 2-1/2 years, where he designed the last Katz Drugstore (St. Joseph), Sanctuary for Temple B’Nai Jehudah and the Federal Reserve Bank Addition, he started his own diversified practice in 1965 –– designing libraries, recreational projects, medical and dental facilities, multifamily and custom residential projects, schools, churches, office buildings, banks and other commercial and institutional projects. He has provided historic preservation planning and design throughout Missouri, including the Missouri State Capitol and various projects in the 18th and Vine, Santa Fe and Quality Hill Historic Districts.

He is a 10th generation descendant of the mentor-protégé lineage from Thomas Jefferson, Latrobe, Strickland, Walter, Hunt, Furness, Sullivan, Wright and Fay Jones –– having studied under Jones for 5 years at the University of Arkansas, and for 46 years afterwards. He successfully nominated both Jones and Jefferson for the AIA’s Gold Medal.