Consulting Colleagues

Each building designer has strengths, knowledge, and experiences. Review the profiles and schedule a session with one or more professionals whose attributes align with your needs and questions.

An AIBD Consulting Colleague appointment is a peer coaching opportunity. It is a confidential process through which a member of the institute’s College of Fellows works with you to answer questions about current practices. To help you expand, refine, build new skills, and discuss new ideas. Or get help solving a problem with a project or within your company.

Peer coaching is as individual and unique as the people who engage in it. Below are the professionals volunteering their time to help build a better residential design profession, one designer at a time. Not only will you receive encouragement and helpful advice, but it comes from a relevant perspective. Their information is straightforward and candid. 

Speed up your learning by getting quick, accurate feedback and advice. Talk with someone who provides the same services and performs the same job functions as you. Because of this unique perspective, build camaraderie, boost your productivity, advance your leadership skills, and develop a sustainable change in your career.

AIBD Consulting Colleagues is a perpetual fundraiser for the annual AIBD student scholarships, which include the Bill and Annette Farmer Scholarship, The AIBD Memorial Scholarship, and the SkillsUSA scholarships. 

The AIBD College of Fellows is a seasoned industry professional who has notably contributed to advancing the building design profession, either by excellence in design, education, literature, or public service. Each Fellow is a certified member of the American Institute of Building Design, and those below have set aside time to collaborate with you.

Headshot of David Pillsbury.

David Pillsbury, FAIBD, CGP,…

…is the principal designer and leads the design division for the Total Solutions Group in Maitland, Florida. He holds Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD) and Certified Green Professional (CGP) designations. CLICK HERE for David’s full profile.

David’s areas of expertise

  • Home Design ‐ utilizing the best flow and space management, enabling the most efficient design regardless of size.
  • Classical Design and Aesthetic – making the overall design better using over twenty years of training with classical systems.
  • AutoCAD—With over 30 years of experience with the program, David uses AutoCAD as freely as the air he breathes for schematic design, space planning, proportion studies, and documentation.
  • SketchUp—Since the 3D program was introduced in the early 2000s, David has utilized the workspace for everything from early massing studies and communicating the design intent to photo‐realistic renderings.

Take a look at David’s calendar and schedule a consultation.

A new webpage will ask you to schedule a 30-minute phone call or web meeting.

ALL FEES are currently waived.

Show your gratitude by contributing to the AIBD student scholarships.

Steve Mickley, FAIBD, BIM-R

Steve Mickley is the Executive Director of AIBD, a licensed General Contractor, a Certified Professional Building Designer, and a certified Great Game of Business Coach. Steve focuses on helping AEC industry professionals, manufacturers, and suppliers connect and succeed.  CLICK HERE for Steve’s full profile.

Steve’s areas of expertise

  • Certified Business Coach (Great Game of Business)
  • Production and Stock Home Plans
  • Project Management
  • Using AI for business and architecture
  • Personal Development
  • Public Speaking
  • Getting Published

Take a look at Steve’s calendar and schedule a consultation.

A new webpage will ask you to schedule a 30-minute phone call or web meeting.

ALL FEES are currently waived.

Show your gratitude by contributing to the AIBD student scholarships.

Headshot of Jim Wright

James A. (Jim) Wright, CGP, CPBD, FAIBD…

…is president and principal designer of Residential Designed Solutions, Inc., which has specialized in a full range of design and construction document services for home builders, remodelers, and their clients in the central Ohio area since 1988. He also heads The Plan Drawer, Inc., which supplies pre-designed home plans to the local and national markets. CLICK HERE to view Jim’s full profile.

Jim’s areas of expertise

  • Creating Brand Identity
  • Setting your fees
  • Design
  • Structuring a Multi-Person Firm
  • Strategic Planning

Take a look at Jim’s calendar and schedule a consultation.

A new webpage will ask you to schedule a 30-minute phone call or web meeting.

ALL FEES are currently waived.

Show your gratitude by contributing to the AIBD student scholarships.

Bust shot of Dan Sater.

Dan F. Sater II, CGP, CPBD, FAIBD

With over 35 years of experience, Dan Sater is a Certified Professional Building Designer, a Certified Green Professional, an active member and past national president of the American Institute of Building Design, and a professional member of the Institute of Classical Architecture. His ability to create home designs with open, flowing interiors that interact with expansive outdoor spaces is unmatched. Sater designs have earned over 500 home design awards. CLICK HERE to view Dan’s full profile.

Dan’s areas of expertise

  • Marketing,
  • Branding,
  • SEO,
  • Design,
  • Publishing,
  • Planning

CLICK HERE to contact Dan.

Schedule a 30-minute phone call or web meeting.

ALL FEES are currently waived.

Show your gratitude by contributing to the AIBD student scholarships.

Larry Gilland Bust Shot.

Larry Gilland, NCBDC, LEED AP BD+C, CSI

Smart, sustainable design is a passion for Larry, LEED certified and a former USGBC Steering Committee Chair. As an adjunct professor at Pikes Peak Community College, he has developed a sustainable course and curriculum that blends Architectural, Interior Design, and Construction Management Students into a ground-breaking course that has a waitlist every year. CLICK HERE for Larry’s full profile.

Larry’s areas of expertise

  • Design – Has won numerous awards.
  • Collaboration – Has collaborated with the commercial team and other partners for 30 years.
  • Sustainability – Is a LEED AP and is in pursuit of Passive House certification.
  • Education – Completed educational programs for AIA, USGBC, the Local Board of Realtors, and HBA. I have also been an Adjunct Professor for the last five years.
  • Creativity – Known for being a creative, out-of-the-box thinker. Has the ability to concept designs many times while the client is at the meeting.

CLICK HERE to contact Larry.

Schedule a 30-minute phone call or web meeting.

ALL FEES are currently waived.

Show your gratitude by contributing to the AIBD student scholarships.

Head shot of Mike Keesee.

Mike Keesee, FAIBD…

…is president and CEO of the Total Solutions Group.  He holds designations of Certified Aging in Place (CAPS), Certified Green Professional (CGP), and Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD). Mike holds licenses as a Certified Building Contractor and Home Inspector. He is involved in multiple industry organizations and regularly participates on code advisory boards. CLICK HERE for Mike’s full profile.

Mike’s areas of expertise

  • Production Builder Management
  • Open Book Management
  • Managing a Large Firm
  • Client Communication
  • Codes and Standards
  • Association Networking

Take a look at Mike’s calendar and schedule a consultation.

A new webpage will ask you to schedule a 30-minute phone call or web meeting.

ALL FEES are currently waived.

Show your gratitude by contributing to the AIBD student scholarships.

Jenny Pippin head shot.

Jennifer Beaman Pippin, FAIBD, CPBD, CGP…

…is a nationally acclaimed residential design specialist and a recognized expert in sustainable and green building practices, focusing on creating new homes and renovation projects specifically for view properties, such as waterfront and mountainsides. Pippin designed and built an award-winning green home and Design Studio on Lake Norman, which she completed in 2008 with her husband Wes. They regularly opened for tours for six years as a teaching resource on living sustainably for the community. CLICK HERE for Jenny’s full profile.

Jenny’s areas of expertise

  • Designing for Views
  • Marketing
  • Green / High-Performance Design

Take a look at Jenny’s calendar and schedule a consultation.

A new webpage will ask you to schedule a 30-minute phone call or web meeting.

ALL FEES are currently waived.

Show your gratitude by contributing to the AIBD student scholarships.

Headshot of Karen Kassik-Michelson

Karen Kassik-Michelsohn, CPBD, Fellow AIBD…

…is Vice President of Michelsohn and Daughter Construction, Inc., a Design/Build company in Anchorage, Alaska. As an award-winning designer with over 30 years of experience, she specializes in custom home and remodeling design, emphasizing promoting and providing accessible and aging-in-place design. CLICK HERE for Karen’s full profile.

Karen’s areas of expertise

  • Business Management
  • Design
  • Design/Build Management
  • Construction Management

CLICK HERE to contact Karen

Schedule a 30-minute phone call or web meeting.

ALL FEES are currently waived.

Show your gratitude by contributing to the AIBD student scholarships.

Headshot of Sam Liberti.

Sam Liberti, FAIBD, CGP, HERS…

…has over 30 years of experience in Building materials and manufacturing. Specializing in Hardwoods and Residential building materials, Sam started designing in 1988 and joined The American Institute of Building Design in 1994. CLICK HERE for Sam’s full profile.

Sam’s areas of expertise

  • Project management
  • Building Materials
  • Energy Efficient Homes

CLICK HERE to contact Sam

Schedule a 30-minute phone call or web meeting.

ALL FEES are currently waived.

Show your gratitude by contributing to the AIBD student scholarships.