AIA Toledo Firms Lead the Way in Supporting Early Professionals
AIA Toledo is proud to celebrate four member firms recognized with the 2026 AIA Ohio Early Professional Friendly Firm Plus+ Designation: Buehrer Group Architecture & Engineering, The Collaborative + Acock, PMBA Architects, and Thomas Porter Architects. This statewide honor highlights firms that demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting, mentoring, and empowering early professionals within the architectural profession.
About the Early Professional Friendly Firm Program
The AIA Ohio Early Professional Friendly Firm program was created to celebrate firms that invest meaningfully in the growth and success of early professionals; those who have been working in the architectural profession for ten years or less, including architectural student interns, recent graduates, unlicensed emerging professionals, and recently licensed architects.
The program also aims to spark dialogue and inspire innovation within firms across Ohio by encouraging the development of policies and practices that promote progressive, inclusive, and future‑focused workplaces. Firms may earn one of two distinctions:
Early Professional Friendly Firm Designation
Early Professional Friendly Firm Plus+ Designation, the program’s higher level of recognition
This year, four AIA Toledo firms earned the Early Professional Friendly Firm Plus+ Designation, reflecting their exemplary support for early professionals through mentorship, professional development opportunities, licensure support, leadership pathways, and a culture that values growth and collaboration.
These firms demonstrate what it means to cultivate environments where emerging professionals can thrive; strengthening not only their own teams, but also the future of the architectural profession in northwest Ohio and across the state. Congratulations to all four firms on this well‑deserved honor. Find the full list of honored firms here.
