Maryland Board of Architects August 26, 2026 Business Meeting Minutes
TIME: 11:00 AM
LOCATION: 100 S. Charles Street
Tower 1, Hamilton Conference Room, 2nd Floor Baltimore, MD 21201
Video Teleconferencing via: https://meet.google.com/tbt-uxif-gth
Phone Number: (US) +1 567-250-3071 PIN: 211 193 419#
MEMBERS PRESENT: Cynthia Shonaiya, Chair, RA
Douglas Polt, RA Kevin Sneed, RA Kuo Pao Lian, RA
Casey Dawkins, PhD
STAFF PRESENT: John Dove, Commissioner
Sarah McDermott, Assistant Commissioner Raquel Meyers, Interim Executive Director Aajah Harris, Director of Policy
Andrew Friel, Director of Government Affairs Matthew Venuti, AAG, Board Counsel Noraida Lozano, Administrative Specialist
OTHER PRESENT: Paul Edmeades, Architect
Marie Edmeades Stephanie Hopkins
Albert Zaccone, NJ Board of Architects Robert Cozzarelli, NJ Board of Architects Kathy Hillegas, NCARB Region 2
Mary McClenaghan, NCARB Region 2
Mellissa Cannata, Representative, Amber Books Craig Curtis, DGS
Call to Order
Dina Giurfa, AIA Representative Morgan McGee, ARE Applicant
Ms. Cynthia Shonaiya, Chair, called the Business Meeting of the Maryland Board of Architects to order at 11:01 a.m. at 100 S. Charles Street Tower 1, Hamilton Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Departed Board Staff and Member
Ms. Meyers announced the departure of Mr. Zevi Thomas, Executive Director of the Design Boards and Bay Pilots, and Mr. Steven Rodriguez-Cartagena, Administrative Officer for the Professional Engineers Board. Additionally, she noted that Ms. Thais Bohli, who was recently appointed to the Architects Board, has resigned from her position as an architect member.
Approval of Minutes
The members reviewed the minutes of the Business Meeting held on June 24, 2026. Motion (I), made by Mr. Polt and seconded by Mr. Dawkins, was unanimously carried by the Board to approve the minutes without corrections.
Complaint Committee Report
Mr. Dawkins presented the following report on behalf of the Complaint Committee:
11-AR-25 – ALJ Proposed Order. To be discussed in the Executive Session.
05-AR-26 – Awaiting a response from the respondent.
06-AR-26 – Recommended closure.
10-AR-26 – Awaiting the result of a civil case. Followed up with the respondents.
27-AR-01 – New complaint. Requested a response from the respondent.
Two conduct reviews:
ARE candidate with initials (SS) – The committee agreed with NCARB’s final decision and recommendations.
ARE Applicant with initials (TG) – No further action was taken. Reinstatement application with initials (HB) - No further action was taken.
Motion (II) was made by Mr. Sneed, seconded by Mr. Polt, and carried by the Board to accept the Complaint Committee Report.
Ms. Shonaiya presented the report for the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE) and reciprocity applications.
There were fifteen (15) ARE applications administratively approved:
COVERT, Samuel LEUNG, Audrey
DAVIS, Rahmah LEHNER, Evan
EMM, Michaela MAKARY, Caroline
NJUGUNA, Mbugua Stephen LEE, Jou Chuch
ULIASZ, Cody VERYCKEN, Kyle
GRAY, Sarah Katherine JOHNSON, Robert
VOGEL, Jared GOODWIN, Sarah Jean JOHNSON, Vicente
There were eight (8) ARE applications approved by the Board:
BLANCH, Jillian GRIFFIN, David Allen
ELLIOTT, Michael McGEE, Morgan
GARNES, Ryan MULLINEAUX, Stephen
GOZON, Sheena THOMFORD, Tharin
Motion (III) was made by Mr. Dawkins, seconded by Mr. Sneed, and unanimously carried by the Board to approve twenty-three (23) ARE applications, with one (1) tabled reciprocity due to technical issues.
Presentation of MD Labor Secretary’s Citation
Commissioner Dove and Assistant Commissioner McDermott of the Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing presented Maryland Labor Secretary Portia Wu’s citations to Ms. Stephanie Hopkins in recognition of her 10 years of service and to Mr. Paul Edmeades in recognition of his 20 years of service as distinguished former members of the Maryland Board of Architects.
NCARB Region 2 Recognition
Mr. Robert Cozzarelli, NCARB Regional Director for Region 2, along with NCARB Region
2 Board Members Albert Zaccone, Kathy Hillegas, and Mary McClenaghan, presented recognition to Ms. Stephanie Hopkins and Mr. Paul Edmeades for their dedicated service and valuable contributions to the regional board.
Old Business
- Pathways to Licensure Forum
Mr. Dawkins reported that the Pathways to Licensure Forum Committee met with representatives from Morgan State University the week prior to the Board meeting. The next
event is scheduled for September 10, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., pending confirmation from Ms. Patricia Ramallo of NCARB. The alternate date for the event is September 14, 2026.
- NCARB 2026 Annual Business Meeting Recap
Ms. Shonaiya confirmed that all three NCARB resolutions for FY 2027 were passed. While only one of the two At-Large Members supported by the Board was elected, she reassured the newly elected officers of the Board’s continued support.
New Business
- Legislative Initiatives – None
- Sunset Review and Extension – None
- Regulatory Changes - None
Correspondence – None Executive Director’s Report
Ms. Meyers reported that the recruitment for the Executive Director and the Professional Engineers Board Administrative Officer positions officially closed in early August.
On August 25, 2026, she met with Ms. Caitlin Stromberg, NCARB Assistant Vice President of Member Relations, and Mr. Joshua Batkin, NCARB Vice President of Council Relations, who will continue to support and assist the board during this transition.
The NCARB Board Chair and Board Executive Leadership Summit is scheduled for October 9-10, 2026, in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Maryland State Board of Architects currently has two vacancies: one for an architect member and one for a consumer member. Individuals interested in serviing on the Board are encouraged to contact Ms. Meyers, who will coordinate with Mr. Andrew Friel, Director of Government Affairs, regarding the application process.
Ms. Shonaiya reminded the Board that there are currently two vacancies, leaving five appointed members. She noted that four members constitute a quorum. Until the vacancies are filled, she encouraged Board members to continue supporting the Board’s monthly business and meetings. She acknowledged that filling the vacancies may take time and encouraged members to identify and recommend qualified candidates who may be interested in serving the State on the Board.
Ms. Meyers also reported that House Bill 1180 and Senate Bill 653 authorize the State Board of Architects to establish an electronic portal to facilitate the anonymous and confidential reporting of suspected unlicensed practice and building code violations. The language has been updated on the Board's website and is currently in progress. A complaint
form has been drafted specifically for anonymous submissions to serve as a template for the future online portal. She is currently collaborating with the DoIT team to ensure the portal is completed by the October 1, 2026 deadline.
Board Counsel’s Report
Mr. Venuti clarified that the anonymous complaint process discussed by Ms. Meyers applies only to complaints involving individuals or firms falsely claiming to be licensed, permitted, or authorized to practice architecture in Maryland, or otherwise misrepresenting their licensure status to the public. Complaints involving building code violations or other matters will continue to require a signed complaint submitted under oath.
Mr. Venuti thanked the guests, as well as Ms. Stephanie Hopkins and Mr. Paul Edmeades, for attending the meeting. He noted that it was unusual to hear the applications read by Ms. Shonaiya rather than Mr. Edmeades.
Mr. Venuti also provided an update regarding the Board’s sunset review, which is scheduled for July 1, 2028. He stated that he would coordinate with Ms. Harris, the legislative coordinator, regarding initiating the sunset review process in 2027 to allow sufficient time for completion.
Finally, Mr. Venuti reported that the Board had received a proposed decision from the Office of Administrative Hearings regarding a complaint referring to the Office for a ruling. He stated that the matter would be discussed in executive session following the meeting.
Executive Session
Motion (IV) was made by Mr. Sneed, seconded by Mr. Polt, and unanimously carried by the Board to enter the Executive Session at 11:48 a.m., at 100 S. Charles Street, Tower 1, Hamilton Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201. This session was permitted to be closed pursuant to General Provisions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, §3-305(b)(7) to discuss a complaint related to case 11-AR-25.
Motion (V) was made by Mr. Polt, seconded by Mr. Lian, and unanimously carried by the Board to reconvene its public meeting and leave the Executive Session at 12:00 p.m., at 100 S. Charles Street, Tower 1, Hamilton Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Ms. Meyers introduced Mr. Wainford Lewis, who will serve as support staff from the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP), an initiative affiliated with Workforce Development and Adult Learning. Ms. Meyers explained that the program provides additional support to the Department and its operations.
Ms. Shonaiya welcomed Mr. Lewis and expressed her appreciation for the program, noting that it provides an opportunity for seniors from previous careers to contribute their experience and skills to State government. Ms. Shonaiya thanked Mr. Lewis for joining the team and welcomed him to the Board.
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, Motion (VII) was made by Mr. Polt, seconded by Mr. Sneed and unanimously carried by the Board to adjourn the meeting at 12:02 p.m.
The next Board Meeting will be on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
With Corrections
x Without Corrections
(Signature on File)
September 23, 2026
Cynthia Shonaiya, Chair Date