Darryl G. Rogers, AIA and Peter Krajnak, AIA formed Rogers Krajnak Architects in 2001 with a focus on creating life long learning opportunities for every staff member. “We became an AIA/CES registered provider and established the RKA Mentoring Program,” said Krajnak. “Each registered architect is teamed with other staff members to research, prepare and present eighteen to twenty annual presentations. We believe that the RKA Mentoring Program has consistently improved our professional development, sharpened our presentation skills, reinforced our firm's values and promoted our staffs' quest for continuing education in a real and meaningful manner.”

"I firmly believe that choosing a career as an architect means that you have accepted a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and education,” said Rogers. “I also feel it is the experienced architect's role to mentor students and interns. At Rogers Krajnak Architects, we find that the experienced architects learn as much from younger staff as the younger staff learn from them. Our in-house continuing education/mentoring program directly relates to these philosophies and provides invaluable staff interaction".

The jury indicated that the strengths of the RKA Mentoring Program include strong senior management involvement in creating and sustaining a mentoring program that is designed to engage all staff members. The jury commented, “involving the entire staff in the design and presentations of CES materials achieves multiple goals and the design process of the CES program becomes a learning process in itself which reinforces the actual presentation and learning of the content.”