On Thursday, November 4, KGD Co-President Manoj Dalaya is slated to join SHEP Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Abdel-Sahib and Aeterna Group President and Managing Partner Adam Krason for an hour-long session entitled, “At the Ownership Threshold: Building an Enduring Firm” at ArchEx 2026 in Richmond, Virginia.

The program will focus on how architecture firms invest deeply in design excellence, but many overlook the need to manage their practice as a transferable business asset. Whether the future involves a merger, acquisition, platform partnership, or internal ownership transition, leaders who take proactive steps now can strengthen financial stability, ensure continuity for staff and clients, and protect the firm's legacy. This session outlines the practical disciplines that make a firm transaction-ready, including financial reporting and operations, leadership succession, and it shares real-world lessons on what accelerates a transition and what creates avoidable friction. The focus is not hype. It is a clear, candid look at how firms preserve what matters while crossing the threshold to the next chapter.

ArchEx (Architecture Exchange East) gives AIA Virginia members insight into the future of the profession, stronger professional networks, and a chance to catch up on CEUs – all in a single trip. Spanning over the course of three days, this year’s conference themes are: Inspiration, Education, Connection, Celebration, and Exploration. All programming is curated to showcase the very people who are shaping the future of practice in Virginia. Whether one is a principal thinking through succession, an emerging professional building their first network, or somewhere in between, we hope to see you there!

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