Jon Alan Baker, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP, of San Diego, California, was inducted as the president of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) at the organization’s 2023 Annual Business Meeting. For the next year, Baker will lead the organization, which facilitates licensure and credentialing for architects in the United States. “NCARB is in a unique position to foster greater inclusion in the architecture community and I look forward to using my role as president to continue efforts to increase access along the licensure pipeline,” said Baker.
 
During his tenure, Baker will focus on promoting multiple pathways to licensure, in order to expand nontraditional opportunities that could provide broader access to the architecture profession for all, including underrepresented groups. Baker is the first NCARB President in 64 years to have been licensed via acquiring extra experience in lieu of an accredited degree in architecture.
 
 Baker is a former member of the California Architects Board, which he served on from 2005-2018, including four terms as the board’s president. In 2007 and 2016, he was elected by his peers as the chair of NCARB’s Region 6—of which the California Board is a member. He first joined the NCARB Board of Directors as the Region 6 director from 2010-12, and was elected to the national Board again in 2018. He served on the Board as first vice president, second vice president, treasurer, secretary, and Region 6 director. For nearly 15 years, Baker has offered his time and expertise to NCARB’s volunteer initiatives, including several related to the development of the national architecture licensing exam. He has also served on the Audit, Education, Experience, Experience Advisory, Policy Advisory, and Regional Leadership committees, several of which he chaired.

Baker has represented NCARB on a number of National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) visiting teams, which evaluate college architecture programs.  As a principal with DLR Group—an integrated international design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization—Baker specializes in the design and planning of educational facilities throughout Southern California. He is the former president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Diego chapter, previously serving eight years as a board member and two years on the AIA California Council board. In 2009, Baker was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in recognition of his service to the profession. 

Baker is a dedicated volunteer both within and outside of the architecture profession, serving as a member of San Diego’s Downtown Community Planning Council and previously volunteering for the Jr. Achievement Board of Directors, the Building Industry Association, the Coalition for Adequate School Housing, and more. He has served on the NewSchool of Architecture & Design’s Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) Advisory Committee since 2015.  He has been NCARB certified for over 30 years and is licensed in 10 states, including California.