New TFA Executive Director, Amanda DeCort
Exciting changes are underway here at Tulsa’s nonprofit dedicated to architecture and design. TFA has named Amanda J. DeCort as its new Executive Director. DeCort has served in leadership roles on TFA’s Board of Trustees for two years, focusing on board development and events such as the popular Dwell in the IDL and Second Saturday tours.
DeCort brings to her new role 13 years of community development and planning experience, including 9 years as the City of Tulsa’s historic preservation planner. She earned a Master of Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning with an emphasis in historic preservation. DeCort serves on the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Board of Directors, is active with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and was honored with Preservation Oklahoma’s Young Preservation Leadership Award in 2013.
“Tulsa Foundation for Architecture is very excited to bring Amanda DeCort on board as our new Executive Director,” said Board President Shane Hood. “Her experience, tenacity and passion for Tulsa’s rich architectural history will serve us well as TFA begins a new chapter of driving positive change through the power of design.”
In her work at the City of Tulsa, DeCort was responsible for listing 13 districts in the National Register of Historic Places, greatly expanding access to Historic Tax Credits for rehabilitation of qualifying structures. She provided technical assistance to property owners, supported the Tulsa Preservation Commission, and brought programs like the hands-on window restoration boot camp and Realtor education classes to Tulsa. Her favorite project remains the Downtown Tulsa Survey, a public-private partnership that resulted in six new historic districts, leading to certified historic rehabilitation projects that continue to bring substantial new investment into downtown Tulsa.
“As TFA’s Executive Director, I look forward to keeping Tulsa’s fine collection of architecture foremost in the public’s eye. We’ve seen a major surge of interest in the past two years with our architecture tours. TFA plans to further expand its programming to engage more Tulsans and visitors in learning about our architecture, and advocating for design excellence. The quality of our built environment is a driving force for Tulsa’s growth. We have an obligation as a city to get it right.”
— Amanda DeCort
TFA also welcomes new board leadership. Shane D. Hood, of W. Design, has been elected President and Chairman of TFA’s Board of Trustees for 2015. Kenneth L. Brune, founding attorney with Brune Law Firm, will serve as Vice-President. Hood and Brune join Penny Krout of Green Country Tax & Accounting, Board Treasurer, and Clint Baxter of Manhattan Construction, Board Secretary. The Executive Director position is funded in part by a grant from the Raymond and Bessie Kravis Foundation.
Photo by Terry Kellam
