Architecture executive named Peña Professor: to teach graduate seminar this fall at Texas A&M University

Steven A. Parshall, senior vice president of one of the world's largest architectural firms, has been awarded the William M. Peña Professorship in Information Management and will teach a graduate architecture seminar this fall at Texas A&M University's College of Architecture.

COLLEGE STATION, TX - Steven A. Parshall, senior vice president of one of the world's largest architectural firms, has been awarded the William M. Peña Professorship in Information Management and will teach a graduate architecture seminar this fall at Texas A&M University's College of Architecture.

A fellow in the American Institute of Architects, Parshall is senior vice president for Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK). He also serves as practice director for HOK Consulting, the world's second-largest architectural firm.

His seminar, which will explore effective client/team communication, is for students with an interest in the challenges facing architects, planners, engineers and constructors that require innovation in the use of technology for successful communication and knowledge transfer among project teams and client/user organizations, Parshall said.

"We are delighted to have an industry leader of Steven Parshall's caliber on the architecture faculty," said Robert E. Johnson, director of the CRS Center for Leadership and Management in the Design and Construction Industry at Texas A&M. "His professional and academic contributions have greatly advanced communications between architects and their clients, adding considerable value to the practice of architecture. As Peña Professor, I know he will greatly enhance our academic and research initiatives."

The Peña Professorship was created in 1990 by the CRS Center to honor Willie Peña, FAIA, a founding partner of the Caudill, Rowlett, and Scott (CRS) architectural firm, acquired by HOK in 1994. Peña was widely known for his pioneering work in architectural programming and for developing an innovative programming process called problem seeking, also the name of a textbook he coauthored with John Focke and William Caudill.

Parshall's professional life has been dedicated to increasing architects' understanding of client needs and enhancing the provision of pre-design services. Through benchmarking, training and publishing, he has expanded the architect's role in architectural programming and in research and evaluation of the built environment.

A product of the University of Illinois, Parshall earned three degrees there: a bachelor of science in architecture, 1973; a master of architecture, 1977; and a master of business administration, 1978. He has been associated with HOK since 1977. In recent years, Parshall has focused primarily on assisting major corporations with the development of comprehensive facility management plans.

"I am quite honored to be chosen for this prestigious position honoring my good friend and colleague, Willie Peña," Parshall said. "Additionally, I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to teach at one of the world's top-rated architecture schools."

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Media contacts:   Phillip Rollfing
   Communications Specialists
   College of Architecture, Texas A&M University
   (979) 458-0442

   Kathy Waskom
   Administrative Assistant, CRS Center
   College of Architecture, Texas A&M University
   (979) 847-9357