Board Members

Charles L. Ward, III is an architect member (C-32266) of the Board since 2019 and currently serves as the Board's President. Charles L. Ward is a Principal of June Street Architect, Inc. in West Hollywood, CA. Charles holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Woodbury University and a Master of Architecture from University of California, Los Angeles. He currently serves on the National Center on Adoption and Permanency Board of Advisors, Woodbury University School of Architecture Board of Advisors, Woodbury University Architecture of Civic Engagement Advisory Board and the Emeritus Board for the Family Equality Council. He lives in Los Angeles, CA with his husband and two children.

Ward chairs the Executive Committee and the Board’s Professional Qualifications. His term expires on June 30, 2026.

Ronald A. Jones, AIA, is an architect member (C-25629) of the Board since 2020.

Jones has been a founding principal at Hunt Hale Jones Architects since 1993. His portfolio includes award-winning single and multifamily projects, both domestic and international. Jones body of work covers affordable, custom, active adult, resort and planned residential communities. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, California Building Industry Association, and the National Association of Home Builders. Jones is co-founder of the Judie Davis Marrow Donor Recruitment Program and past chair of the Minority Affairs Committee for the National Institute of Health’s National Marrow Donor Program.

Jones serves on the Executive Committee and chairs the Board’s Regulations and Enforcement Committee. His term expires on June 30, 2025.

Malcolm "Brett" Gladstone is a public member of the Board since 2019 and currently serves as the Board's Secretary. Brett focuses his practice on land use law and real estate transactions. He represents investors, developers, and government in land-use proceedings and CEQA compliance with respect to residential and mixed use development throughout the Bay Area. Brett makes regular appearances before Bay Area Planning Commissions, City Councils, Boards of Supervisors and landmarks boards. He lectures on a variety of topics, including development entitlements, condominium law, and planned developments.

Gladstone serves on the Executive Committee and serves on the Board’s Professional Qualifications Committee. His term expires on June 30, 2024.

Victoria Brash, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Architects Board on August 30, 2024. Brash has been a Lead Project Architect at Target since 2022. She was a Senior Design Project Manager for Whole Foods Market from 2020 to 2022. Brash was a Principal Architect at Victoria Brash Consulting from 2013 to 2020 and a Senior Designer at 5+ Design from 2006 to 2013. Brash earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Woodbury University.

She serves on the Board’s Professional Qualifications Committee. Her term expires on June 30, 2027.

Tian Feng, FCSI, is an architect member (C-25072) of the Board since 2014 and prior Board President.

Feng is the District Architect for the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) since 2001, where he focuses his work on developing and implementing design and construction standards for transit facilities and climate resiliency for infrastructure. Prior to BART, he also practiced architectural consulting, construction expert witnessing, and teaching with employments including Jacobs Engineering and University of Southern California (USC).

Feng is a fellow of The American Institute of Architects and a fellow of the Construction Specifications Institute. He received a Master of Building Science from the School of Architecture at USC and a Bachelor of Engineering in Architectural Engineering from Tongji University. He serves on NCARB's Certification Alternatives Review Team and NAAB's Architectural Accreditation Visiting Team.

Feng serves on the Board's Executive Committee and on the Professional Qualifications Committee. His term expires on June 30, 2024.

Mitra Kanaani, FAIA, is an architect member (C-30509) of the Board since 2021.

Kanaani was a Professor at NewSchool of Architecture and Design for 29 years prior to her retirement in June 2021. She held several roles, including Chair of the Architecture Department and the Undergraduate Program, Acting Dean and Director of Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure (IPAL) Program. She has been Principal at Universal Design since 1997. Kanaani earned a Master of Science degree in urban planning from the University of Tehran, a Master of Science degree in architecture from the University of New Mexico, and a Doctor of Architecture degree from the University of Hawaii. She is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, secretary for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, and international evaluator at the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Kanaani is a member of the Building Technology Educators Society, International Code Council, and the American Institute of Architects.

Kanaani chairs the Communications Committee. Her term expires July 31, 2024.

Leonard Manoukian is a public member of the Board since April 24, 2023. Leonard lives in Southern California. He has worked for the State Compensation Insurance Fund for 32 years, and is an Assistant Chief Counsel. He believes giving back to the community is important which is why he served on the City of Glendale Planning Commission for nearly 13 years, serves on the board of the local American Youth Soccer Organization, and has served on the local Boy Scouts Council. Leonard is a Freemason and is a 3-time delegate to the California Democratic Party.

His term expires on June 30, 2027.

Robert C. Pearman, Jr.  is a public member of the Board since 2016. He has been a California real estate and public agency lawyer for 30 years, focusing on public works, redevelopment, real estate, construction, affordable housing, financial institutions, and litigation law. Pearman has represented diverse clients, such as housing departments, redevelopment agencies, transportation authorities, cities, banks and mortgage lenders, construction companies, and real estate developers. He is currently Of Counsel to the law firm Sanders, Roberts, LLP. Pearman is also an arbitrator and a member of the American Arbitration Association's National Roster of Neutrals (Commercial and Construction Disputes Panels), State of California Public Works Contract Arbitration Panel, and Caltrans Dispute Resolution Board. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, and his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.

Pearman serves on the Board’s Executive Committee and chairs the Board’s Regulatory and Enforcement Committee. His term expires on June 30, 2026.

Nilza Serrano is a public member of the Board since 2013. A resident of Eagle Rock, Serrano founded TMS Production and Post Production firm, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to public service. She serves on the Getty House Foundation Board of Directors to ensure that future generations have access while preserving the house and gardens. Serrano also serves on the Board of Directors for HOPE-PAC, a Political Action Committee. Her advocacy helps to build and leverage opportunity, education and outreach to benefit community based services.

Serrano serves on the Board’s Communications Committee. Her term will expire on June 30th, 2024.

Fuad Sweiss is a public member of the Board since 2023.

Sweiss has been Founder and President of Global Modular Partners since 2020. He was Executive Director of the City of Santa Ana Public Works Agency from 2018 to 2019. He was a Senior Policy Advisor to San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee from 2016 to 2018 and City Engineer & Deputy Director of Public Works for the City of San Francisco from 2009 to 2016. Sweiss was President & Founder of Access Design & Construction in 2006 and served in several roles for the City of Oakland from 1988 to 2006. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Jordan. His term expires on June 30, 2027.