OPN earns Emerging Professional Friendly Firm distinction From AIA North Central States & Central States regions
As a firm committed to fostering the next generation of architects, OPN Architects is honored to have earned the designation of being an Emerging Professional Friendly Firm from both the American Institute of Architects North Central States Region and Central States Region.
OPN was recognized because our firm:
- Provides fair compensation and benefits to emerging professionals
- Supports architectural licensure and invest in the professional development of EP’s
- Actively creates opportunities for emerging professionals to grow
- Demonstrates a commitment and innovation to train and mentor emerging professionals.
The Emerging Professionals Friendly Firm program is new in the North Central State Region, which encompasses Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Twelve firms were recognized in the inaugural year. All were thanked for “helping to move the architecture profession forward as a more supportive community of practitioners towards all.”
The Central States Region, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma, has recognized firms for their emerging professional friendly practices and culture since 2015. This is the first time OPN has applied.
With locations in Iowa and Wisconsin, OPN is a member of both the North Central State Region and Central States Region of the AIA. OPN supports the AIA Emerging Professional’s initiative through the participation of two of our architects — Thomas Thatcher and Jamie Craine — on the AIA Central States Region Emerging Professionals Committee.