Award Winning Architect Marshall Purnell, FAIA, made history in 2007 when he became the first vice president / president-elect / 2008 president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) - becoming the first African-American to hold these positions in the organization's 150-year history.* A fellow of AIA and past President of the D.C. Chapter of AIA, Marshall has long worked with AIA through service on numerous committees. He is a graduate of University of Michigan with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and Planning and a Master's Degree in Architecture.

As Design Principal and Co-Founder of Washington, DC based Devrouax-Purnell Architects, in 2008 Marshall will be celebrating another major milestone - 30 successful years in business!

If you've lived, worked or played in Washington, DC I bet you have but probably didn't even know it. If you have ever attended a tradeshow at the 'new' Walter E. Washington -  DC Convention Center, sat in the club level seating and luxury boxes at the Verizon Center or drove past the New DC Nationals Ballpark, unknowingly you have been fully immersed in the mind of Marshall Purnell.

But his great work and significant contributions are not limited to structures and professional affiliations: Marshall is committed to giving back to his community on so many levels. In the 14 years of his involvement with the D.C. United Way campaign, he has twice served as its chair and he has also held various advisory board positions for the Washington Urban League, the D.C. Commission on the Arts, Cultural Alliance, and Studio Theatre. Additionally, he has mentored countless young aspiring architects all throughout the U.S.

Scheduled to speak in more than 30 countries in 2008 it is evident that Marshall will continue to make a significant impact and contribution on the arts and design community not only in Washington, DC but also around the world.

*The US Bureau of Labor Statistics [2005] estimates that there are about 100,000 Architects licensed in the United States, and licensed African American Architects - both male and female -represent about 1.5% of all US licensed architects - 1,571 in all. A mere 186 of the 1.5% are African American Women. This percentage has not changed in over 35 years.