Stephen T. Ayers, AIA, LEED AP 

Acting Architect of the Capitol and Chief Operating Officer

On February 4, 2007, Stephen T. Ayers, AIA, AOC’s Deputy Architect/Chief Operating Officer, in accordance with P.L. 108-7, began serving as Acting Architect of the Capitol until a new Architect is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. 

As Acting Architect, Mr. Ayers is responsible for the facilities maintenance and operation of the historic Capitol Building, the care and improvement of more than 450 acres of Capitol grounds, and the operation and maintenance of 16.5 million square feet of buildings including: the House and Senate Congressional Office Buildings, the Capitol Visitor Center, the Library of Congress Buildings, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, and other facilities.  He is responsible for the care of all works of art in the Capitol under the direction of the Joint Committee on the Library and is responsible for the maintenance and restoration of murals, outdoor sculpture, and other architectural elements throughout the Capitol complex.  In addition, he serves as Acting Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden and the National Garden under the Joint Committee on the Library.  The Architect of the Capitol also serves as a member of the Capitol Police Board and the Capitol Guide Board as well as an ex officio member of the United States Capitol Preservation Commission. 

The Architect of the Capitol also is a member of the District of Columbia Zoning Commission, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, National Capital Memorial Commission, Art Advisory Committee to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and the National Institute for Conservation of Cultural Property. 

Under Mr. Ayers’ leadership, the AOC has, through a variety of initiatives, reduced carbon emissions, improved energy efficiency, and implemented sustainable design practices throughout the Capitol complex.  He is also committed to supporting small businesses in order to help facilitate competition and to support local communities, and has implemented several programs to actively award contracts to companies that reflect the diversity of our country.

Mr. Ayers completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture at the University of Maryland and received his Master's of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.

After attending Officers Training School at Lackland Air Base in San Antonio, Texas, Mr. Ayers was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and assigned to Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, California.  While stationed at Edwards, he served as a Staff Architect with the 6510^th Civil Engineering Squadron managing numerous design and construction projects.  He was promoted to Design Team Chief and progressed to the rank of Captain.  Mr. Ayers was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his military service and after five years of active duty, resigned his commission to pursue a civilian career. 

After working in the architectural and engineering community in the Washington, D.C., area, Mr. Ayers joined the Voice of America in Washington, D.C., as a General Engineer in 1991.  In 1992 he transferred to Rhodes, Greece, to lead construction efforts at several Voice of America sites in Greece and Germany.  Mr. Ayers returned to the United States in 1997 and joined the Architect of the Capitol as an Assistant Superintendent for the Senate Office Buildings.  In 1999, he was promoted to Deputy Superintendent.  He was then promoted to Superintendent of the Library Buildings and Grounds in 2002.

In October 2005, Mr. Ayers was appointed as the Acting Deputy Architect/Chief Operating Officer (COO).  In March 2006, Mr. Ayers was selected as the Deputy Architect/COO.  In this role, he oversees approximately 2,600 employees and manages an annual budget of nearly $600 million, and the day-to-day operations of the Agency.

Mr. Ayers is a licensed architect in California.  He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the National Historic Trust for Historic Preservation, and the George Washington Chapter of Lambda Alpha International.  He also is an Accredited Professional in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  He is actively involved in his church and community.  He resides in Maryland with his wife and two children.