Jim Whitaker, FAIA, FDBIA
Principal and SVP, HKS, Inc.
Mr. Whitaker is an architect and lifelong design-build advocate, influencer, and educator. He is nationwide speaker and published author. Mr. Whitaker has served in executive leadership roles in both design and construction firms. Based in Dallas, Texas, he currently leads the government practice and all things alternative project delivery at one of the nation’s largest architectural firms, HKS, Inc. Extraordinarily rare, he was elected a Fellow of both AIA and DBIA in 2018. For DBIA, he currently serves as the Chancellor of the College of Fellows, serves as the Chair of the Federal Markets Committee, serves as member of the National Development Board, and serves as liaison to the P3 Committee. Previously, he served on DBIA’s national Board of Directors and was its Chairman in 2014. For AIA, he has served in national roles in its Federal Architects Task Group (FATG) and Project Delivery Knowledge Community (PDKC). Today, he also serves on the board of directors of the Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT). Mr. Whitaker lives in North Carolina.
“DBIA’s Futures Council could be the critically needed catalyst as the AEC industry is at an inflection point. Improvement in project delivery methodology, implementation of technological tools, and better integration of all AEC team members could be transformative to reverse the decades-long trend of low efficiency, reduced productivity, and little innovation. We can do better.”