The Architectural Office Of GUS NICK PARAS AIA ARCHITECT Established in the year 1963 in Tampa Florida


DESCRIPTION OF THE EFFECT OF GUS NICK PARAS' LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE
It is difficult to describe precisely the effect of Gus Nick Paras' service and leadership his rich and varied career have provided because every day some new evidence of his having touched someone is manifested.
From the high school student who was inspired by Gus' lecture and is going on to study architecture, the teacher who learned from his vast knowledge and is passing it on to others, the architect who learned while working with him and was inspired by his devotion and dedication to the profession to the politician who is inspired to higher public service because of his example of public service and calm unswerving adherence to higher principles.

Gus' work has touched many areas:

In architecture, as a practicing professional he has inspired others to continue and to strive for excellence not only in design but in all aspects of the profession. Numerous architects count working in his office as part of their training and have moved on to become distinguished members of the profession, receiving numerous awards and accolades of their peers.

In education, his technical skills allowed him to be able to provide training and pass on his knowledge. He trained many professionals in the use of the new digital tools and assisted many older architects, his peers, to overcome the fear of the new technologies.
Success Centers in high schools and a preeminent training center are only two of his legacies that will affect many students for years to come and will provide sound advice and counseling for students.
His training and mentoring of other teachers has enabled them to serve students better and his advice on committees of both the Hillsborough County School system and Hillsborough Community College has resulted in better programs for each institution.

In community service, his unselfish volunteer work has resulted in the success of many organizations.

Saint John's Greek Orthodox Church and other Greek Orthodox Churches of the Tampa Bay Area have benefited from his wise counsel and talent in architecture resulting in educational and community facilities to serve the congregations.�

The Tampa Chamber of Commerce has benefited by his work in establishing a residence for the elderly which will serve elders for many years.�

The City of Tampa has benefited greatly by his long service of thousands of hours to make Tampa a better place to live by serving on the Architectural Review Commission of the Historic Preservation Department. His spearheading of efforts to rewrite the ordinances will make development of new projects more efficient for the citizens of Tampa.�

The City of Tampa, the AIA and all citizens will be served by his efforts in founding the Architectural Heritage Committee of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the AIA and his many hours of work to make it a success.

The Architectural Heritage Committee has benefited Hillsborough County by being an advocate for historic preservation and well planned, sustainable redevelopment of urban neighborhoods, both through the events and programs, as well as through its interaction at critical times with local government. The direct benefit to the community is that many owners of historic properties have gained a clear understanding of the financial and intrinsic benefits of historic preservation as well as a practical understanding of the historic district design review process and guidelines.

Further, through the interaction of design professionals with community members, a sustained line of communication has been established -which has and will continue to benefit the community.

In summary, Gus has made a mark on the history of Tampa through his involvement in Architecture, Education and in Community service.

His forty five year career is rich with personal and professional accomplishments.
His careers have included architecture and education which have risen on a foundation of professional excellence and community service. But also, his close personal ties with both professional architects and other professional members of the community have served to make him a valuable and contributing member of the community.

His accomplishments are attested to by the awards and honors he has received, too many to have included them all in this brief description. However of greater import is his personal impact on the lives of literally thousands of professionals and students who have benefited not only by his talents and creativity but through his constant concern for their welfare.

From Success Centers throughout Hillsborough County that affected the future development of thousands of students to his mentoring and training of architects and other professionals, Gus Paras has touched the lives of many and enhanced their future through his positive message of life.