The Dallas Architecture Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing public education about architecture, design, and the urban environment, completes its popular 2021-2022 Panel Discussion Series on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 6:30 pm. The Future of Fair Park Panel Discussion will be presented in the Hall of State at Fair Park. This event is FREE to the public, no reservations are required. A brief reception will begin at 6:15 pm in the Hall of State Auditorium lobby – the Panel will begin at 6:30 pm.
Plan to join The Dallas Architecture Forum, Preservation Dallas and other interested organizations and individuals at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, June 29th at the Hall of State for an important update on Fair Park, one of the City of Dallas’ most important architectural, cultural and community cornerstones. The Panel will be moderated by David Preziosi, Executive Director of the Texas Historical Foundation. Attendees will be informed by Ron Stelmarski about the Fair Park Master Plan developed by Perkins&Will. Darren James and Brian Luallen of Fair Park First and Katie Miles of Overland Partners will update attendees about what developments have already occurred or are in process in the Fair Park area.
MODERATOR
David PREZIOSI, Executive Director, Texas Historical Foundation
David Preziosi recently became the Executive Director of the Texas Historical Foundation after working for ten years as the Executive Director for Preservation Dallas. The Texas Historical Foundation works to preserve Texas history by awarding grants to nonprofits across the state for the preservation of buildings, archaeological sites, documents and artifacts, as well as providing funding for publications and films that document Texas history. While at Preservation Dallas, David expanded programming and events, co-developed an Architectural Styles exhibit and booklet, worked on the creation of the Pegasus Urban Trails Mobile App for downtown Dallas, prepared a 50th anniversary film and booklet for Preservation Dallas and focused on advocacy efforts for Dallas’ historic places. In 2020, Preservation Dallas received the prestigious Trustees’ Award for Organizational Excellence from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Before returning to Texas in 2012, David worked for 16 years in Mississippi, first in City Planning for Natchez, Mississippi and later as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Heritage Trust where he worked across the state on education and advocacy for preserving Mississippi’s historic places. David holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design, a Master of Urban Planning, and a Historic Preservation Certificate, all from Texas A&M University. In 2018, he was inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He was selected by the College of Architecture at Texas A&M in 2020 as an Outstanding Alumni, and in 2021 was granted Honorary Membership with the AIA Dallas Chapter. David is a leading advocate for the care, preservation, and restoration of Fair Park.
PANELISTS
Darren JAMES, Fair Park First Board President & KAI Enterprises
Darren L. James, FAIA is President of KAI Enterprises, a national design and construction services firm with eight offices nationwide. In this role, Darren is accountable for corporate market advancement and Dallas/Fort Worth leadership by creating growth strategies for each of the KAI Enterprises’ four companies. Darren seeks the most complex, culturally conscious, politically sensitive projects that will make lasting differences in the lives we touch. Darren has been involved in some very important projects throughout his multi-decade career but he is most energized by the results from those that truly changed the narrative and outcomes of the communities, surrounding residents and patrons around these key examples: South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas, Reby Carey Youth & Family Library in Fort Worth, Walnut Park Branch Library in St. Louis, Billy Earl Dade Middle School in Dallas, and Dr. Robert L.M. Hilliard Center – University Health in San Antonio. Darren has really been honored to work across the country on projects named for prominent Americans and more specifically ten Black national or local civic, political, social, and educational leaders.
As an entrepreneur, architect and servant leader, Darren has spoken at national conferences and seminars. He is especially honored that KAI received AIA Dallas’ 2021 Firm of The Year. Darren was named one of D CEO Magazine’s 2022 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in North Texas for the second consecutive year, a 2021 Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce Quest for Success recipient. He has also received the 2018 TAAACC William Sidney Pittman Award. In addition to KAI, Darren serves as the inaugural President & Chair of Fair Park First, the non-profit selected to manage the National Historic Landmark, Fair Park - Dallas. Fair Park First was named D CEO’s 2021 Non-Profit of the Year. In his role as President of the Board for Fair Park, he leads the Board and works closely with Fair Park First CEO Brian Luallen. Darren also serves on the Board of Directors for the Dallas Citizen’s Council, The Real Estate Council, Dallas Regional Chamber, World Affairs Council and Trinity Park Conservancy. James completed his sixth and final term, December 2021, as the longest serving Chair in the 95-year history of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and was named Chair Emeritus.
Brian LUALLEN, Fair Park First CEO
Brian Luallen is the CEO of Fair Park First. He has more than 20 years of experience in destination tourism and experiential events. Brian’s career has been dedicated to developing and delivering impactful experiences for employees and guests, re-launching attractions, and growing public-private partnerships. He is proud to serve as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Fair Park First a 501c3 non- profit selected to manage the 277-acre National Historic Landmark, Fair Park - Dallas in close collaboration with OVG360 and the City of Dallas. In his role Brian leads the delivery of a new 14-acre Signature Community Park inside the Fair Park campus, oversees the $500M campus-wide capital investment and revitalization campaign, and develops strategies focused on increasing daily use to enhance Fair Park as a year-round destination for park goers near and far. Fair Park First was named D CEO’s 2021 Non-Profit of the Year. Some of Brian’s past work associations have included Spectra Venue Management, Focus Features, Evolution Hospitality, Herschend Family Entertainment, Cambridge University, and the International Churchill Society. His work has been featured in Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, the TODAY show, Good Morning America, MSNBC, CBS Sunday Morning, Fox News, The Los Angeles Times, The Dallas Morning News, and the BBC.
Katie MILES, Overland Partners Senior Interior Designer
Katie Miles, NCIDQ, RID, puts a strong emphasis on research-based design to truly understand how people engage with their surrounding environments. This approach has been critical in developing some of the most unique and unforgettable experiences in sports and entertainment venues over the last decade. Katie was a key member of the team that designed and programmed one of the most complex sports facilities in the world – Sofi Stadium. Her role was as much architectural as it was interiors spaces on this monumental project of scale and complexity. Other project experience includes Esports arenas, collegiate sports facilities, and digital entertainment venues. She also has a broad set of skills, participating in services like research-based occupancy reviews, ROI studies, programming, design services, construction document coordination and production, and construction administration. She believes being integrated into every chapter of a project is key to the overall success of the venture.
Katie was born in Cheltnam, England to Aussie parents. Over the course of her life, she has traveled to China, Singapore, France, Ireland, and other international locales assimilating insights into international design. Katie obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design from the University of North Texas. Katie is a part of the Overland Partners team that is working with Fair Park First to evaluate the Cotton Bowl Stadium and the Fair Park Coliseum. These studies will be used to develop proposed upgrades for both buildings as part of the Master Plan updates and improvements.
Ron STELMARSKI, Perkins&Will Principal and Design Director
Ron Stelmarski, FAIA is a Principal and Design Director at Perkins&Will. His multi-faceted interest in design spans disciplines at all scales, including architecture, interiors, brand experience and urban design. Ron has led master plans regionally and around the world, including Tianjin, China, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His hands-on approach is not only highly collaborative, but also heavily research based. Ron believes that architecture is the connective tissue that unites people, place, and culture - a philosophy that informs every project he undertakes.
Ron is active in the Dallas chapter of the AIA, and The Texas Society of Architects. He also is a member of The Dallas Architecture Forum’s Board of Directors and serves on several Board committees. Among the many significant and award-winning projects that Ron and his team have designed in the Dallas area are Fire Station 27, The Richards Group Headquarters, The Epic, Baylor Scott & White at the Star and their Administrative Center, the Pittman Hotel, and the Singing Hills Recreation Center. Ron has also designed projects throughout the southwest and New York City. Ron and his team at Perkins&Will developed the current Master Plan Update for Fair Park.
Sponsors for this Panel Discussion include Panel Season Sponsors Abeyta Tibbs Architecture, Galaxy Modern, Purdy-McGuire, Robyn Menter Design Associates, Turner Construction and Walter P Moore. Panel Sponsor is James Ruff. Special Thanks to the Dallas Historical Society.