Louisiana Board of Architectural Examiners’
Executive Director Mary “Teeny” Simmons
Receives NCARB’s President's Medal for Distinguished Service
Washington, DC—National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ President Robert E. Luke, AIA, (2006-
2007) recently awarded the President's Medal for Distinguished Service to Mary “Teeny” Simmons, of Baton
Rouge, LA, in recognition of her long and distinguished service to the Council and its’ mission.
For 32 years as the executive director of the Louisiana Board of Architectural Examiners, Simmons has guided
emerging professionals and architects through the registration process. Simmons has been named to a number of
committees and lent her perspective to a diverse range of Council issues and initiatives, including efforts to sustain
and improve the Intern Development Program. One of Simmons’ most significant contributions was serving as an
integral member of the Disaster Response Task Force. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, she has
been a steady, knowledgeable presence for Louisiana’s architectural community.
Simmons’ 32 years as a Member Board Executive (MBE) makes her the longest serving MBE in NCARB history.
She started her career as a secretary when the Louisiana State Board of Architectural Examiners was one of nine
boards under the Department of Occupational Standards. Less than a year later, when the Louisiana legislature
abolished the department and made each board independent of one another in 1975, the Architectural board
asked Simmons to serve as their executive director.
Simmons was honored during NCARB's 88th Annual Meeting and Conference, held last month in Denver, CO.
The President's Medal awards program was established in 1994 to recognize those individuals who dedicate part of
their careers, energy, and wisdom to benefit the work of NCARB, the public, and the architectural profession.
“I love my job and the people who cross my path on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis. I thank the Lord
daily for allowing me the privilege of serving others and trying to make a difference,” Simmons stated after receiving
the President’s Medal.
Simmons attended Louisiana State University and graduated from Spencer Draughn Business College in Baton
Rouge. She is very active in the Fellowship Baptist Church in Greenwell Springs, LA.
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The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards is committed to exemplary service and effective regulation
to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public. In order to achieve these goals, the Council develops
and recommends standards to be required of an applicant for architectural registration; develops and recommends
standards regulating the practice of architecture; provides to member boards a process for certifying the qualifications
of an architect for registration; and represents the interests of member boards before public and private agencies.
With the Committee of Canadian Architectural Councils (CCAC), NCARB has also established guidelines
for the reciprocal registration of U.S. and Canadian architects.
