Metzger of HMFH Architects named president of Central Sq. Business Association

According to HMFH Architects, a leading architectural firm focused on the design of innovative learning environments, the firms president George Metzger, AIA was elected president of the Central Sq. Business Association (CSBA) by its Board of Directors.  A member of CSBA since 1992 and having most recently served as vice president, Metzger will serve as interim president until the 2009 annual meeting and elections.  At the December board meeting of the CSBA, president Carl Barron announced his decision to step down from the presidency of the CSBA in order to focus on the association's civic relationships.  The board also named Barron to the new position of chairman, reflecting his long- time leadership and continued role as spokesperson for the CSBA, which Barron and Metzger will share.   These changes are the result of a strategic planning process, which the board launched in October to redefine the organization's goals and structure. In a two-stage process involving board members as well as a few non-board members and city officials, the CSBA adopted short- term goals to increase membership services, solicit new participants for board and committee activities, add and retain members, and develop administrative capacity to support proposed activities of the association. To further these goals, the Association has established four areas of activity for 2009: Membership Services, Promotion/Communication, Events, and Advocacy and Environment. "I am proud the board has entrusted the presidency to me. My goals this year are to develop broader board membership and participation, to refocus the association's activities toward its mission, to strengthen the services we offer to CSBA members, and to reinforce the Square's identity as the unique center of theater and arts, innovative businesses, international dining and culture," said Metzger.  George has dedicated his career to the design of educational, housing, and community facilities. In his capacity as an architect, as well as his role in numerous civic organizations, including membership in the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, he has worked to maintain a dialogue between designers and the community.  He has led the design of many substantial projects in Cambridge, including the Cambridge War Memorial Athletic Center, the award-winning Baldwin (formerly Agassiz) Elementary School, and current work on the renovation of Cambridge Rindge & Latin School.    He is a past President of the Boston Society of Architects (BSA), founder of BSA's Public Policy Forum, past chair of the AIA Massachusetts Legislative Affairs Committee, and is active on the national AIA Committee on Architecture for Education. He is currently on the editorial board of Architecture Boston.