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PROFILE
Tim Schroeder accepted his Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award at the 2024 ElevateAEC Awards Gala in Tampa, Florida.
Standout leadership: Tim Schroeder President of Neumann Monson Architects (Iowa City, IA), a firm that creates exceptional spaces for living, working, learning, and playing.
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent
Z weig Group established the Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award in 2013 to honor AEC professionals who have made a difference in their company dynamics through courageous leadership. From overcoming obstacles to leading change, these leaders have worked to bring their firms to new heights. The 2024 award went to Tim Schroeder, president of Neumann Monson Architects, and here’s why. STANDOUT LEADERSHIP. Over the course of his nearly 35- year career with Neumann Monson, Schroeder went from summer intern to president. His dedication to organizational change was evident and, when colleagues were asked why he should receive this award, his efforts toward creating a forward-looking succession plan with an eye to maximizing staff engagement topped the list. Under his leadership, Neumann Monson’s profile has risen significantly, garnering regional and national recognition. The company has far outpaced other firms in Iowa and the AIA’s Central States region in earning AIA design recognitions, solidifying its position as a leader in architectural excellence.
Ten years ago, Neumann Monson (established in 1977) had 40 employees, but without unified leadership. Six principal-led studios had inconsistent practices yielding disparate results. However, Schroeder’s studio stood out, producing the firm’s first award-winning projects, attracting talented recruits, and elevating staff expectations. His colleagues say that because of him, today, Neumann Monson Architects is an excellent example of how to prioritize trust, collective success, client satisfaction, and design excellence – all while thriving as a business. Schroeder first learned he had won the Jerry Allen award through a video. “Until I heard familiar voices playing in the video, I had no idea what was coming. It was an emotional moment to see and hear my colleagues sharing their thoughts on video – I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for being part of this journey with them,” he says.
See STANDOUT LEADERSHIP , page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER FEBRUARY 10, 2025, ISSUE 1572
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