AIA Vermont is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the 2022 Board of Directors. Diem-Chi Nguyen and Tom Bursey were voted in by members at the 2021 Annual Meeting and took part in their first board meeting in January. Both Chi and Tom shared that they are excited to be joining AIAVT’s Board, and look forward to working with the board and committees throughout this year. 

Diem-Chi Nguyen is stepping into the role of the Emerging Professionals Network (EPN) Director, and currently works as a Project Manager at Guillot-Vivian-Viehmann Architects in Burlington. Chi completed her Architecture degree at the California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, CA.  Following school, she spent time traveling across the United States and across the globe before returning to California to work at a mid-sized firm in Sacramento. After a few years, she decided it was time to make a change and find work in architecture that more closely followed along with her secondary degree in Sustainable Environments. Her goal was to find a place where people truly care about moving toward a more sustainable future and she found it in Vermont. Chi has been here for 5 years and continues to become more active with the AIA as well as look for opportunities with local communities to share knowledge and educate others on changing what we do today to secure our tomorrow. 

Tom Bursey has been in his current role as Senior Architect with Freeman French Freeman in Burlington Vermont for twelve years.  Before that, Tom spent time learning from experts at Maclay Architects in Waitsfield, VT Shepley Bulfinch in Boston (where he co-chaired the sustainability committee), Buro Happold Engineers in New York City, and E4H in Williston, VT.  He also sits on the board of several organizations and is President of the ICC Building Safety Association of Vermont.  He is licensed in Vermont and Massachusetts. 

Receiving his Master of Architecture (MArch) degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Tom was awarded the AIA Henry Adams Certificate of Merit, the Faculty Award for Excellence, and the AIA/AAF Award for High Academic Proficiency and Professional Promise.  Tom also holds a B.Sc. in Biology.   

Tom began working summers for a local homebuilding contractor when he was 14 and hasn’t stopped perusing new adventures ever since.  This ‘joie de vivre’ brought him from teaching rock climbing in Vermont, to Kenya where he volunteered building schools.  Running through it all is his deep love for the outdoors; skiing, biking, hiking, flyfishing, kayaking, and of course always… building.   

In addition to being a talented architect who dedicates his time both to the profession and to our community, Tom is a thoughtful leader and an advocate for resilient and sustainable design.  As an expert in building codes, specifications, technical detailing, and design, he is determined to provide delightful buildings that excel in terms of performance, safety, and function.