Vic Lituczy was a unique person.  A hero. He was my mentor and role model.

Vic was one of the most skilled and knowledgeable medical planners I know.  He taught me everything he could and he supported me by opening doors to opportunities to grow and thrive in my own craft.  I know without hesitation that my journey owes a debt of gratitude to Vic.

Vic and I met in 1992 when I was a second year intern at JKS Architects.  He was the partner for health care and I was offered the chance to work with him on the Port Townsend, WA Hospital.  There was no going back after that – I had caught the bug for health care design, master planning and working with someone with the energy and enthusiasm to always seek improvement.  Vic and I came together again in 1996 when he offered me the project architect role for the PeaceHealth Longview, WA hospital.  Together we overcame many challenges to achieve a new state-of-the-art hospital.  We continued to work together on the OHSU master plan and California Pacific Medical Center.

Vic was able to open doors for me.  He campaigned for me to participate in an International Design retreat in Switzerland.  He sent me to leadership training in Virginia.  He helped to position me to take the Vice President role in the San Francisco office for HLM Design.

In 2004 I opened the doors to my own firm, Oh planning+design, architecture.   Vic was working for the Hammes Company and again he found a way to transition from mentor to client.  Together we worked on five master plans in the past six years.  Vic would offer to meet me after work to talk about the office or the economy or our families – we always stayed connected.

I knew that Vic was watching over me – offering helpful advice and I was always a willing listener.  We laughed and we cried more than a few times.  His brilliant career is filled with great accomplishments and achievements.  What resonates with me was his constant assurance and encouragement.  He chose to share his wealth of knowledge with me and I am honored.  Now he has left us, suddenly and much too soon.

We live our lives with the gift of angel wings that carry us from one destination to another.  I am grateful for a few special angels in my life today.  Vic was one of my angels and he had a strong wing span that carried me for 18 years.  I will be able to share my wings with others in honor of him.

Deb France

I just returned from Seattle where I attended the American Association of Community Colleges AACC national convention.  There I shared the honor of speaking alongside Mt Hood Community College President John “Ski” Sygielski and two MHCC Board members Dave Shields and Brian Freeman.  We shared our experience with the  MHCC master plan and valuable lessons with other colleges.

While at the convention, I learned more of the American Graduation Initiative http://www.ed.gov/blog/2009/07/american-graduation-initiative-strengthening-community-colleges/ . I listened to US Dept of Education Under Secretary Martha Kanter speak about the ambitious goal of providing access to education to the TOP 100% of Americans.  President Barack Obama has formed the American Graduation Initiative to increase the number of graduates by eight million  by 2020.  At the moment, we are tenth in the world in academic achievement and this will continue to decline if we do not take action.  Of the eight million goal, five million will come from community colleges.  The approximate 1,000 community colleges across this country have a challenge that they are accepting – the challenge of how to make this happen.  We all play a role in coming together and accepting this challenge.

I was impressed by Melinda French Gates speech regarding the Gates Foundation efforts to provide access to education and dedication to innovations that bring health and learning to a global economy.  They have personally toured colleges and see the strong need for innovative solutions to remedial education that reduces the discouragement in students who have a high school diploma yet are told they are not college ready.  All great accomplishments were met with challenges and we are ready to work together to achieve this goal.

Portland loves Soccer!

Zach Hilleson on site

On March 20, 2009, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced that Portland will be the home of the League’s 18th team! Thank you Merritt Paulson and his family for your love of the game and providing a world-class soccer environment for Portland’s soccer fans.

So here we go soccer fans in the City of Roses – bring on MLS in 2011! I can almost hear the fans chanting for the Portland Timbers now. The PGE Park improvements include several state-of-the-art amenities with new permanent seats and concessions on the east side fronting 18th Street. The field will be sized to meet MLS regulations. Player facilities will also see improvements.

This project comes at a time when Portland’s economic development can use a boost. Oh planning+design, architecture is one of the many businesses in town who appreciate the opportunity to work on this exciting project and add jobs to our fragile economy. Working in association with prime architect AECOM Ellerbe Becket and Turner Construction on this fast paced multi-phased plan to reach the GOL!

The Oh planning+design team has been so fortunate to work with the visionary leaders, employees and students at Mt Hood Community College (MHCC). MHCC has been doing great work in the East County region for over 40 years. Serving Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, Rockwood and Sandy communities. The campus provides vital services to the community and a place for people to learn, teach, meet, grow, stretch and thrive.

The campus President, Dr. Ski, the Board and President’s Cabinet began the process of developing a master plan in June 2009 that will serve as a guide map to the future of the campus. This is an exciting time for MHCC and you can view the video on the campus master plan web site. A good campus master plan is always a work in motion that receives new input and forms the needs to fit the campus culture and programs and technologies. This process will continue to evolve over time as ideas are implemented and new thinking emerges. Visit www.ohpd.net/projects/mhcc/.

I love architecture! I love the responsibility that I feel toward the community, the environment and those who I encounter each day. I love the process of discovery and exploration of ideas and opportunities. I love the lasting relationships with clients, consultants and coworkers. I love the feeling when it all comes together in perfect harmony and a place is formed like music.

Many of us have struggled with the challenges of this last year, especially in the design and construction industry. The economic decline has hit architects, engineers and contractors hard. I have had many sleepless nights and in reflection it has been a year of personal growth and realization that we truly all belong to each other. The only way I have survived this past year is through those around me. I am deeply grateful to Mt Hood Community College and Multnomah County for their support as clients and as professional friends. We have also been fortunate to work with Portland Public Schools, the City of Portland, OSU, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Hospital of Gardena, AECOM and Peregrin Sports. Without these clients the outcome of 2009 would have been very sad for Oh.

And I cannot say enough praise for the talented team of design professionals at Oh planning+design who dedicate themselves to the success of our clients and the business of providing exceptional service. Leslie Melin, Deb Scott, Chris Campbell, Brandon Lanius, Zach Pennell, Elizabeth Johnson, Zach Hilleson and Tina Ely please stand up and take a bow. I look forward to working with you all this coming year and rising to meet new challenges together. Yesterday we celebrated a modest holiday lunch at Doug Fir and the pleasure of sharing time together with laughter and food was so rich. The economy will ebb and flow but the joy of living life is constant.

Be Well in Peace
Deb France

The men of Oh at the holiday lunch