Editor’s note: “Where Are They Now” is a Muscatine Journal series written by former Muscatine Journal editor Gil Dietz, who welcomes comments and suggestions. You can contact him at 563-263-5499 or  gvdietz@earthlink.net

SEATTLE, Washington – Muscatine native Gerald “Butch” Reifert was invested into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects at a ceremony held May 1 in San Francisco.

Election to the College of Fellows recognizes achievements of national significance in advancing the architectural profession.

“This is a great honor,” Reifert said. “But it also comes with a responsibility to advance the practice of education facility design through an innovative marriage of environment, architecture and project delivery to enhance learning and building outcomes.”

Reifert, 52, is managing partner of Mahlum Architects, a Seattle-based firm of 90 associates and other employees. The firm does a full range of architectural design. Butch leads projects involving K-12 schools, colleges and university clients.

He has been known by the name of “Butch” since he was a child. He is the son of Ann Reifert of Muscatine, and the late Gerald Reifert Sr.

“I was named after my father, but instead of “Junior,” people just started calling me Butch,” he said. “My friends, business associates and clients all call me ‘Butch.’”

Reifert graduated from Muscatine High School in 1974. He received an associate in science degree from Muscatine Community College in 1976, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Iowa State University in 1979, and a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1983.

In addition to the San Francisco event, Reifert will be among those recognized at the annual American Institute of Architects honors dinner Saturday, May 30, in Seattle. According to to the Institute, it has more than 86,000 architect members, and fewer than 2,600 have been named to the College of Fellows.

Reifert has been the lead architect on a long list of elementary, high school and university projects in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

His calendar is already getting full for 2009. He is the principal architect/ managing partner for the Clark Hall renovation at the University of Washington in Seattle, a high school in Issaquah, Wash., three school projects in Medford, Ore., and a new K-12 school for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe at Auburn, Wash.

Planning has also begun on four school projects slated for 2011, and a student housing project at the University of Washington in 2012.

Reifert has received numerous design and leadership awards for his professional work. He has been featured in many Seattle and national publications such as Architectural Record and Business Week.

He has also presented many seminars on school design, emphasizing “green” technology.

One of his well-known architectural projects was the William H. Gates School of Law at the University of Washington in 2003. H also was the architect for the Mey Sen Academy in Sendai, Japan.

Butch is one of five people nationally who serves on the leadership group of the American Institute of Architects’ committee on architecture for education.

“I was also appointed by the governor to a two-year term on the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board as the sole member representing the design industry in Washington to advise the state legislature on public works delivery methods for projects receiving state

revenues.

“My interest is in developing a sustainable architecture that not only reduces carbon footprint but that also teaches.”

Reifert, who is single, says he enjoys sailing on Puget Sound when time permits.

“I own an old farm with a fruit orchard on Orcas Island, which is in the boundary waters between Washington and Canada in the San Juan Islands. It’s my weekend escape from the city. There is always lots to do there keeping after the orchard, and I also raise a few herbs.”