Jim Bedrick, FAIA, Vice President of Virtual Building and Design for Webcor Builders, was recently elevated to the National AIA College of Fellows. He will be inducted at the investiture ceremony in New Orleans in May, at the National AIA Convention, and looks forward to attending the event.

Bedrick holds degrees in Architecture and Electrical Engineering, and has more than 25 years of experience in the AEC industry. After practicing architecture for 10 years, he moved to the design and management of information systems for architecture firms. In 1998 he joined 3Com Corporation, directing information technology for their world wide construction and facilities management division. In 2001, he joined Webcor, where his focus is in the use of information technology for simulation, coordination, communication and knowledge sharing in design and construction teams.

Being active in many organizations has helped Bedrick with the advancement of information technology to the AEC industry, including Stanford University’s Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering, and the International Alliance for Interoperability. In addition, he is active in the AIA where he serves on the Board Knowledge Committee and the Contact Documents Committee, and is a major contributor to the Integrated Project Delivery effort. Bedrick works toward building bridges between construction and architects, through virtual building practices. This process works well in nearly every situation and builds collaboration on project teams.

Bedrick and six of his other colleagues from the San Francisco Chapter were elevated to the College of Fellows. He was at a committee meeting when heard the good news, and shared the excitement with his peers. He states the application process took some time to put together, but it was enjoyable going through his life’s experiences, what has been accomplished, then documenting it.

The AIACC announces, and congratulates the fourteen California architects who recently received the distinguished honor of Fellow, and will be inducted into the prestigious College of Fellows at the 2011 AIA National Convention in New Orleans. This honor is awarded to architects who have made significant contribution to architecture and society, and who have been an AIA member for more than 10 years. In the coming weeks, each new Fellow will be featured in a brief article online. So watch the website for more information about the new recipients; those who can now include the designation of FAIA.