Nearly 30 years back, my BSA presidency was sandwiched between two Peters, a Hopkinson and a Forbes; a New York City bagel and an Italian roll, respectively. It was a year of massive fundraising for our new building on Broad Street and the Ideas Competition. We bought 52 Broad Street at the height of the real estate boom (not true for the following years), and we envisioned Boston’s future 50 years out. Both were invigorating efforts and good fun. We raised well over $1.5 million, $350,000 for the competition and over a million for our new home. Everyone from the construction industry participated, and there is nothing like having Tom Payette FAIA Emeritus as chief fundraiser. You knew you were on the hook when you took his call. The BSA and Boston were booming and on a high.

Unfortunately, the last two years of the 1980s quickly reversed our fortunes and spirits. Despite these highs and lows, I was proud to carry the BSA mantel at that time, but these things wouldn’t have happened without the support of a great BSA executive director in Richard Fitzgerald and numerous colleagues on the board and from BSA committees. I was the second-generation BSA president from Cambridge Seven Associates, following Terry Rankine FAIA Emeritus before me and leading Peter Kuttner FAIA and Emily Grandstaff-Rice FAIA after me. During that time, the BSA’s stature had significantly risen among industry allies and the public and business communities, driven by the courageous succession of inspiring and bold BSA leadership at all levels in the organization. Our legacy continues as the connection of the visions of past, present, and future BSA leaders.

Chuck Redmon FAIA 1988 BSA president