Lisa C. Sachs Inducted Into AIA College of Fellows

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 30, 2012) – Lisa C. Sachs, a Managing Principal at Cumming Construction Management, Inc. (Cumming), was recently inducted into the AIA’s College of Fellows. The induction ceremony took place during the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2012 National Convention in Washington, D.C., which was held on May 17 – May 20 in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Ms. Sachs, a licensed architect and long‐time active member of the A IA, was on hand to be recognized in person. “It was a tremendous honor to be recognized by my peers in such an historically significant cathedral in our seat of government. I will cherish the memory for the rest of my life,” said Ms. Sachs. “To be named as an AIA Fellow is a humbling experience, and I will do everything I can to represent the Fellowship with dignity, professionalism, and passion.”

According to the AIA’s website, “Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects is a high honor, recognizing those architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and to society.” There are more than 50,000 AIA members nationwide; this year, only 105 of them—approximately 0.2 percent—received the distinction. Like all Fellows, Ms. Sachs may now use the letters “FAIA” after her name.

The Fellowship distinction is one of two major recent accomplishments for Ms. Sachs, who also has a new book out entitled “What is Your Construction Management IQ?” As described in a review by Tess da Silva on the Industry Speaks website (industryspeaks.com), “the well‐organized textbook covers almost all conceivable aspects of construction management. Because it is a practical guide, the author steers clear of untested management theories, and instead gives readers a real understanding of the subject matter. The subtle sense of humor in the book’s illustrations emphasize the downsides of complex theories, and enliven what could otherwise be considered dry subjects.”

Ms. Sachs has long been active in the AIA, where she is a member of both the National and Los Angeles Chapters, as well as a member of the AIA’s Integrated Project Delivery Public Policy Case Studies Task Force. Ms. Sachs is actively involved in a number of other organizations as well, including the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). Ms. Sachs joined the CMAA’s Southern California Board of Directors in 2005. In 2007, she became a member of the Executive Board and was formally recognized as the Southern California Chapter’s Volunteer of the Year. In 2010, she served as President of the Chapter and was designated as a Foundation Director.

In 2011, Ms. Sachs was named as Board Director for St. Mary’s Academy in Inglewood, CA, and as an Advisory Board Member for the New School of Architecture + Design’s Construction Management Program in San Diego. The Dean Emeritus of the New School of Architecture + Design, Mr. Gilbert D. Cooke, was also recognized as a Fellow at this year’s AIA National Convention.

Prior to her employment at Cumming, Ms. Sachs was Owner and Principal of Construction Controls Group, Inc. (CCG), which was acquired by Cumming in 2008. Cumming is a project and cost management firm that specializes in providing high‐quality construction consulting services to a variety of client types throughout Southern California and across the nation. Areas of specialization include projects in the education, hospitality, healthcare, and municipal sectors. While at Cumming, Ms. Sachs has focused primarily on education projects; in the process, she has managed portions of several of the largest programs in the country, including Los Angeles Unified School District’s Proposition BB and FEMA programs and Los Angeles Community College District’s Proposition A/AA and Measure J Bond programs. Cumming programs and projects managed by Ms. Sachs have won a number of awards. These include the Los Angeles Southwest College Program, which won the Design‐Build Institute of America’s Design‐Build Excellence Award as well as the CMAA Southern California Chapter’s Project Achievement Award; the Mark Taper Forum project in Los Angeles, which won both the Los Angeles Business Council’s Renovated Buildings Award and the Los Angeles Conservancy’s Project Award; and Middle College High School in Los Angeles, which won Learning by Design’s Outstanding Project Award in the New School Construction category.

Ms. Sachs, who is also a Certified Construction Manager and LEED Green Associate, is currently managing Cumming teams on behalf of Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles Community College District, and Glendale Unified School District, among others.