Kea Medal
The Paul H. Kea Medal recognizes professionals, volunteers and other colleagues whose efforts have increased the public’s awareness of the role of architecture in our lives.
ABOUT PAUL H. KEA, FAIA
Kea (1886-1968) began practicing architecture in 1912, moved to Hyattsville, Maryland, and founded the firm Kea, Shaw, Grimm & Crichton, a precursor to today’s Grimm + Parker Architects. His firm built numerous banks, churches, schools and commercial buildings.
A founding member of AIA Potomac Valley, Kea served as President of the Maryland Society of Architects and became a Fellow of the AIA in 1960. He served as President of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce and served on numerous church committees and community boards. He took a strong interest in architectural education and funded a Distinguished Professorship at the University of Maryland.
The Kea Medal is named in his honor, to recognize architects or non-architects in related fields who have made a significant and exemplary contribution to the profession, either through a body of work or a single contribution of great scope. Chapter members are welcome to submit nominations to the selection committee for review, in these categories: a) Service to the Profession; b) Leadership; or c) Architectural Advocacy that has furthered the public’s awareness or appreciation of design excellence.
The Kea Medal award is presented at the chapter's Design + Leadership Awards each year in October.
Deadline for Nominations: August 15
2026 KEA MEDAL NOMINATION FORM
PAUL H. KEA MEDAL RECIPIENTS
2025
Medal for Leadership
Edward Day (Bio)
Medal for Service to the Profession
James Lee, Jr., Esq. (Bio)
2024
Medal for Leadership and Architectural Advocacy
Terry A. Schum, AICP
(Schum Receives 2024 Kea Medal)
2022
Medal for Service to the Profession
Helen Crettier Wilkes, AIA
(Wilkes Receives 2022 Kea Medal)
2020
Medal for Leadership, Service to the Profession, and Architectural Advocacy
Laurence A. Frank, AIA
(press release)
2018
Medal for Leadership and Service to the Profession
Brian Kelly, AIA
(Kelly Receives 2018 Kea Medal)
2017
Medal for Architectural Advocacy
Gwen Wright
2016
Medal for Leadership and Service to the Profession
David Cronrath, AIA
Medal for Leadership and Architectural Advocacy
Randy Steiner, AIA
2015
Medal for Architectural Advocacy
Clare Lise Kelly
2014
Medal for Leadership and Architectural Advocacy
Raymond A. Skinner
Medal for Leadership and Service to the Profession
Melanie Hennigan, AIA
2013
Medal for Architectural Advocacy
Carlo Colella, LEED AP
Medal for Leadership and Service to the Profession
Carl Elefante, FAIA
2012
Medal for Leadership
Samuel J. Parker, JR., AICP
Medal for Architectural Advocacy
John A. Carter, AIA
2010
Medal for Leadership and Architectural Advocacy
Dr. Royce Hanson, former chairman of Montgomery County, Maryland Planning Board, Department of Planning
2009
Medal for Architectural Advocacy
Rollin B. Stanley, Director, Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Planning
Medal for Leadership and Service to the Profession
John M. Maudlin-Jeronimo, FAIA
2007
Medal for Leadership
John Torti, FAIA, Principal, Torti Gallas and Partners
Medal for Service to the Profession
William Bechhoefer, Professor, University of Maryland
Medal for Architectural Advocacy
Eliot Pfanstiehl, President & CEO, Strathmore Music Center
2006
Medal for Leadership
Marshall Purnell, FAIA, Former AIA President
Medal for Service to the Profession
John P. Salmen, AIA, Universal Design Leader
Medal for Architectural Advocacy
Douglas M. Duncan, Former Montgomery County Executive
2004
Medal for Architectural Advocacy
Karl F. G. Du Puy
Medal for Leadership
Steven W. Hurtt, AIA
Medal for Service
Steven J. Karr, AIA
2003
Medal for Service
Daniel W. Bennett, Jr, AIA
Medal for Architectural Advocacy
Richard G. Hawes
Medal for Leadership, Service to the Profession, and Architectural Advocacy
Stephen L. Parker, AIA
2002
Medal for Leadership
Ralph D. Bennett, AIA
Medal for Service to the Profession
John F. Corkill, Jr., AIA
Medal for Architectural Advocacy
Roger K. Lewis, FAIA
