James M. Robertson, FCSI, FAIA, CCS
Distinguished Membership is the most
prestigious honor conferred upon a member of the Construction Specifications
Institute. It is bestowed on individuals who have performed distinguished
services to the construction industry in fields of activity related to the Institute’s
mission. CSI recently named two most worthy individuals to receive this lofty
accolade: Paul Betram, Jr., FCSI, Lifetime Member, CDT, and James M. Robertson, FCSI, CCS.
Having worked alongside Jim for
nearly thirty years, I know him as well or better than most people. I can think
of few others as deserving of the honor. The following excerpt from the
Willamette Valley Chapter’s nomination document promoting Jim’s candidacy for
Distinguished Membership enumerates his many accomplishments:
James M. Robertson, AIA has been
a member of CSI for over 41 years, and has been continuously involved in
national and international technical activities for more than 32 years. He has
served as a leader at all levels: the local chapter; the Northwest Region;
Institute committees and task teams; the Institute Board as a Director and as
Vice-President Professional; and as a representative to international
organizations.
Through his exemplary leadership
in the Construction Specifications Institute, James M. Robertson, FCSI, FAIA,
CCS, NCARB has developed and promoted international standards for design
documentation and construction contract administration advancing significantly
the practice of design and construction.
Robertson is an award-recognized
architect who keenly understands and appreciates the value of standardization.
Through his many leadership roles in the Construction Specifications Institute
(CSI) he has committed over 33 continuous years of his professional career to
advancing the standardization of construction document organization; improving
the practice of contract administration practiced by architects; improving
collaboration between architects and others in the construction industry;
achieving industry-wide efficiencies; reducing waste; minimizing construction
costs; and increasing the quality of construction-related project information.
For his service and contributions, he has received some of the highest honors
bestowed by CSI, the Northwest Region and AIA.
Robertson has been instrumental
since 1984 in the development of international standards used by architects for
formatting and organizing contract documents. These standards include:
MasterFormat™, SectionFormat™, PageFormat™, and PerSpective®. He also
championed a new format for Preliminary Project Descriptions which was released
in 2010.
Robertson has made significant
writing contributions to three editions of CSI’s Manual of Practice which is
recognized as a leading resource for architects on the proper principles,
techniques and formats for writing and organizing specifications. He was also
involved with developing the current generation of this influential series of
manuals.
Robertson chaired the 1990 Ad Hoc
CSI MasterFormat™ Committee charged with examining the future of this important
classification system. The noteworthy recommendations presented in his report
paved the way for important improvements to MasterFormat™ that has aided
architectural practice. His leadership fostered open communication between
disciplines and agencies within the design and construction industry.
Robertson played a prominent role
in the development and writing of the original Construction Contract
Administration (CCA) Module of the CSI Manual of Practice. He helped develop
the Construction Contract Administration Education Program used by instructors
around the country. He helped formulate CSI’s first certification program for
CCA. This work has elevated architects and others in the industry,
demonstrating the importance of effective contract administration in achieving
quality projects.
Robertson has consistently shared
his knowledge and expertise in the art and science of building design
documentation and the project delivery process. Through his speaking and
writing, he has contributed to the knowledge of the construction industry,
enhanced the practice of architecture, and promoted the creation and
implementation of national and international standards for construction
information. He has made more than 60 presentations, promoting the standards he
helped develop and conveying the importance of standardization in design and
construction documentation. His local CCA seminar program has been so valuable
to architects, interns, and others involved in design and construction that it
has been repeated annually for 21 years.
Robertson is recognized
internationally as a leader in technical construction standards and he
represents CSI in international organizations involved with development and
promotion of standards for specifications and contract documents. He has
represented the interests of the architectural profession in crafting important
industry-wide standards, and he has bettered the perception of architects
within the construction industry and with international organizations. He is
respected as an architect and was appointed by the Governor to the Oregon Board
of Architect Examiners. In addition, he contributes to the profession as a
member of NCARB’s ARE Committees/task teams.
What’s
most remarkable about Jim’s significant contributions is that he made them all
while running a successful architectural practice and being the consummate
family man. The time commitment demanded by his volunteer efforts on behalf of
CSI, NCARB, and OBAE has been considerable. As his colleague, I’ve witnessed
firsthand his effectiveness as a leader, architect, and construction specifier.
Undeniably, he has accomplished much more during his professional career than
many of us can ever hope to in ours. As the Willamette Valley chapter’s only
other Distinguished Member Paul Edlund, FCSI wrote in his endorsement of the
nomination, Jim has demonstrated “exemplary leadership, tenacious commitment,
and donation of time and expertise” in service to CSI, very much deserving of
our acknowledgment and appreciation.
Both CSI
and the American Institute of Architects previously elevated Jim to Fellow in
their respective organizations in recognition of his contributions to the A/E/C
industry. As noteworthy as achieving fellowship status with both these
estimable organizations is, there’s no doubt being honored as a Distinguished
Member is a career pinnacle. The Institute will honor Jim at next month’s
CONSTRUCT 2017 and the CSI Annual Convention in Providence, RI. I won’t be at
CONSTRUCT this year so, unfortunately, I’ll miss the opportunity to share Jim’s
(and Paul Bertram’s) special moment. If you likewise cannot be in Providence,
be sure to let Jim know the next time you see him how much you appreciate all
he has done on our behalf.
Congratulations
Jim!
1 comment:
Until the end of my first four-year term on TechCom, I knew Jim only by reputation. He was a respected leader and contributor to all things technical, with many years of service on CSI committees. Randy has listed many of Jim's contributions, so I'll just add a few comments from my personal experience.
I first met Jim when he was asked to take control of the Manual of Practice update. TechCom had recommended several things for the new MOP, much of which was lost in negotiations with the publisher. I was truly impressed by the way he took charge at the kickoff meeting; he went on to direct the development of what eventually became the PRM, skillfully dealing with a recalcitrant publisher and guiding the contributing authors to a successful conclusion. He certainly was the right person for the job, with his extensive involvement in virtually every document published by CSI.
As Chancellor of the CSI College of Fellows, he led the establishment of Student and Emerging Professionals Fund.
I also served on the Institute board with Jim during the tumultuous times of 2005 and 2006, when he maintained a cool, professional manner in the midst of chaos.
Jim is, indeed, a Distinguished Member!
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