John Horky, Kahler Slater Principal and HR Director has been appointed a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA). The AIA’s Fellowship program recognizes members who have made significant contributions to architecture and society and who have achieved a high standard of excellence in the profession.
John studied architecture at the University of Notre Dame and became a registered architect in 1986. In 1991, he joined Kahler Slater and for years worked on some of the firm’s most significant and complex projects, quickly distinguishing himself as a client-centered project manager and Market Sector Team Leader. When the firm began transitioning leadership in 1998, he was asked to redirect his talents to the stewardship of the firm’s own people, taking on the role of HR Director and helping to shape the next generation of the firm. In this new role, John found his true passion. Under his care, Kahler Slater received its first Award for Excellence in Human Resources in 2000 and garnered significant local and national attention for the firm’s industry best practices approach including its current 11-year run as one of the 25 Best Small Companies to Work For in America as determined by the Great Place to Work Institute® and published by Fortune magazine.
Throughout his career, John has served on a variety of industry boards and held numerous leadership positions at a local and state level, including President of the AIA Wisconsin Chapter. He is currently the President of the Wisconsin Architects Foundation (WAF). In addition to serving the profession in these capacities, he is committed to supporting the growth and development of the next generation of architects. Through presentations at industry conferences and class groups on campus, He shares his knowledge and experience and equips students with skills necessary to be more prepared and confident as they grow in their careers.
John will be honored at an investiture ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the 2015 National AIA Convention in Atlanta, Ga. For the full list of this year’s FAIA designees, visit www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2015/fellows/.