BIA provides a broad range of programs and services that fulfill its mission of promoting and safeguarding the clay brick industry. BIA promotes the industry through education programs like online training classes; market research including production, shipment and other data; publications such as Technical Notes on Brick Construction, Brick in Architecture and Builder Notes; and promotional programs such as public relations, advertising and a national architectural awards competition. BIA safeguards the industry through comprehensive advocacy and compliance efforts at the federal and state levels; representation in all model building code forums and national standards committees; and local advocacy programs that educate local planning and elected officials about clay brick.
BIA National is comprised of select geographic regions and several local councils. Learn more about BIA Regions and Councils.
BIA is the source for everything related to the clay brick industry.
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BIA actively promotes the use of genuine clay brick pavers, with marketing in professional journals such as the Journal of Landscape Architecture and in trade publications such as Custom Home magazine. Click Here for more information.
Ray Leonhard President, CEO & CFO 703.674.1533 Ray Leonhard is a CPA with more than 30 years of professional experience. In January 2014, he was appointed to serve as BIA’s President & CEO, in addition to maintaining his previous role as CFO, which he began in 2007. In these roles he works with the staff and the Board of Directors to oversee the strategic vision of the association as a whole. Ray began his career as a senior auditor with Deloitte and later worked as a senior bank examiner. He has more than 25 years of not-for-profit and association experience. Stephen Sears COO & VP, Marketing 703.674.1536 As Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Sears leads BIA’s marketing and communication programs for the association and its regional and local counterparts around the country. Before he began his career at BIA in 2004, Stephen spent several years in advertising account management at New York-based ad agencies, including Young & Rubicam and Ogilvy & Mather, where he worked on worldwide accounts, including Computer Associates International and IBM. He also served as a political appointee under President George H.W. Bush. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a BA in Politics from Washington & Lee University Joseph Casper Sr. VP Government & regulatory Affairs 703.674.0741 Joseph Casper, a long-time Washington, DC-based government relations executive has returned to BIA to head up a bolstered Government and Regulatory Affairs effort. He came from the National Stone, Sand and Gravel (aggregates) Association, where he successfully argued for significant changes in proposed Department of Labor (DoL) rules. This work resulted in tens of millions of dollars in cost savings for aggregates producers during both the Obama and Trump Administrations. Joe began his career in the Reagan and first Bush Administrations, and successfully worked in 2016-17 on behalf of senior-level appointments of key DoL officials. Casper earlier worked at BIA from 2003-08, and established a staff capability in regulatory and government affairs, e.g., the formation of Brick PAC. Joe is a graduate of Georgetown University and earned a Master’s in Business Management from Johns Hopkins University. Lisa Cyphers Executive Assistant 703.674.1541 Lisa started with BIA in September 2016 as Executive Assistant to the President/CEO. Her prior experience includes eight years with a promotional products company and five years as an office manager in a medical practice. Lisa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. She assists in preparation for BIA meetings, aids members with account registrations, and AIA presentation credits and registration.
Judy Grandinetti Accounting Manager 703.674.1548 Judy Grandinetti has worked for BIA since 2007. As Accounting Manager, she is responsible for recording and processing accounts payable and receivable, overseeing employee payroll, and developing monthly financial statements for national headquarters as well as all the regions. Judy received her BS in Accounting from The University of Scranton. She enjoys the diversity of her job and working with the great staff at BIA.
Charles "Chip" Clark, Jr., AIA, PE, LEED AP VP, Engineering Services 703.674.1531 As Vice President of Engineering Services, Chip Clark manages the Engineering and Research department. The department's activities include writing technical documents, building code activities, research, and review of projects, drawings and specifications. Chip is a Registered Architect in MD and a licensed Professional Engineer in VA. He is a member of the AIA, a member of the Masonry Society and its ASTM E-5 Committee, an associate member of the Masonry Standards Joint Committee, and is secretary of The Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a structural concentration from the University of Maryland.
Zach Booker, EIT Engineer 703.674.1547
Zach Booker is a graduate of James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree. His primary duties include responding to technical questions and researching and developing technical documents. Prior to working at BIA, he interned at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, where he assisted Metrorail in regard to maintenance and flood resiliency issues.
Cortney Fried is involved in researching and writing technical documents, researching brick systems, and building code and standard advocacy. She assists in managing the Engineering and Research Department. Cortney earned her Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in structural engineering from Stanford University. Prior to joining BIA, she worked as a managing engineer with a prominent national forensic engineering firm for many years, directing teams investigating various types of architectural and structural problems in existing buildings,with a focus on a broad range of masonry types, ranging from historic brick mass masonry to modern brick cavity and veneer wall construction.
Tricia Mauer Vice President, Membership & Programs 703.674.1539 Trish Mauer has been working with BIA since 2005 and currently serves as the VP of Membership & Programs. She is the main resource for all issues relating to membership, meetings, online education, the Brick in Architecture Awards program, Brick University, and the monthly Production and Shipment Reports. She is the staff Liaison for the Sales, Education & Training Committee as well as the Southeast Forum Committee. Trish attended Indiana University for two years and finished her undergraduate degree in Marketing at the University of Wisconsin Parkside.