The annual CREMM Galentines event is a fun evening of speed net-worthing! Deborah always attends the event to make new connections and deepen others with her female peers in commercial real estate. CREMM provides educational and professional growth resources for women at all career levels.
Two Black female architects are currently notching their mark on the Black history timeline. For some reference, of the roughly 120,000 architects licensed in the U.S., only 2,492 are Black. Of those, 566 are women. In other words, less than 1%. And for the first time in its history, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) elected a Black woman as President of the organization. Kimberly Dowdell is the 100th AIA president and the first of the millennial generation. Dowdell is a Principal with HOK. Closer to home, Houstonian Melvalean McLemore is the first Black female to be elected President of the AIA Houston Board of Directors. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed November 28, 2023 as Melvalean McLemore Day to recognize her community contributions. McLemore is the Texas Studio Design Leader at Moody Nolan.
Welcoming 2024, I'm excited to highlight our energetic start at PRISM, with January bringing us 13 new projects across the thriving Sunbelt states.
Founded in 1906, The Kinkaid School, Houston’s oldest independent coeducational school, is two years into a major fundraising campaign that will radically transform every aspect of the educational experience. Houston firm Studio RED Architects has been shepherding Kinkaid administrators and the Board of Trustees through the design and construction process.
Get ready for an elevated retail experience, Tomball! The future looks bright at The Shops at Theis and Cherry. Lone Star Development is developing a 20,000-square-foot retail center in Tomball, Texas, just over a mile north of the Grand Parkway. Strategically positioned just minutes from HW-249, Main Street, and Holdereith Rd, The Shops at Theis and Cherry promise to be a vibrant addition to the community.
We're thrilled to announce the promotion of Lily Luo to Vice President of Innovation and Sr. Project Manager. Lily has shown exceptional leadership as Project Manager, and will play a crucial role in guiding our technological evolution. She will lead PRISM’s technological advancement, leveraging AI to offer more dynamic and impactful solutions to our clients and team.
This month we are also celebrating Lily’s 5-year anniversary with PRISM! She immersed herself in project management and quickly became an indispensable part of the team. Clients rely on her steady leadership. And we look to her to keep all our projects on track. Thank you, Lily, and cheers to you!
CREW Houston kicked off their 2024 programming with an insightful presentation by Adriana Cruz, the Exec. Director of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office. Jing, Deborah, and Sarah attended and left buoyant from the blockbuster stats Adriana shared. Did you know Texas is the 8th largest economy in the world?
Jing and Deborah also attended the annual CoreNet Houston Economic Outlook luncheon with speaker Patrick Jankowski, Chief Economist at Greater Houston Partnership. Of the many insights he shared about 2024, here are key takeaways – growth will be slow and steady and diversity across sectors will reign.
During 2023, PRISM made further strides to improve our operational processes and project delivery efficiency. Our new client portal and enhanced user experience resulted in high marks for client satisfaction. We also expanded our geographic reach and diversified our project portfolio, two main goals we had set for the year. Clients brought us some unique projects this year including a recording studio, a solar farm, and customizable luxury garage suites! The passion our clients have for their work is palpable and makes our work even more enjoyable.
