For more than 30 years, Tom Birdsey has prominently contributed to the firm’s growth and prestige, leading its higher education practice to national prominence and forging strategic partnerships with higher education, government, and business clients. His career exemplifies the expertise, forward thinking, and collaborative creativity that have made EYP a trusted advisor to clients worldwide. His projects include the Peter D. Kiernan Plaza; the New York State Department of Education; several buildings at the College of Saint Rose, Skidmore College, and Siena College, and the Palace Theatre restoration. His design work has received numerous awards, and his projects and expertise have been featured in national media including: The New York Times; The Wall Street Journal; Preservation; National Geographic; The Chronicle of Higher Education; Business Week; Building Design & Construction; National Public Radio and the History Channel.

Under Tom’s leadership, EYP has successfully secured and/or completed projects for an impressive array of clients including the United Nations; the country of Azerbaijan; the National Park Service; Harvard and Princeton Universities; the National Archives and Records Administration; the U.S. Department of State; the Headquarters for GE Renewables and the U.S. Capitol, as well as others in the industrial, higher education, commercial, government, and healthcare sectors. In 2010, EYP was recognized nationally as one of the Top 50 Architectural Firms and also as a Best Firm to Work For, both nationally and in the Capital Region.

In addition, Tom has focused strategic efforts on developing EYP Energy. This integrated practice builds upon the firm’s 30-year history of providing sustainable design and energy efficiency services to deliver comprehensive energy solutions beyond traditional design and engineering services. He also forged an innovative partnership with the University at Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, resulting in the creation of the National Institute of Sustainable Energy (NISE).

Tom is Chairman of New Energy New York and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Albany Local Development Corporation and the NYS Archives Preservation Trust. He is also a member of the Northeast Region Advisory Board of First Niagara Bank. A past Chairman of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, he also served on the Boards of the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce and the Albany Boys and Girls Club. He is an active member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards; the American Institute of Architects; the Society for College and University Planning; the National Association of College and University Business Officers; and the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he is a frequent speaker who advances the local and national discourse on the role of architects in creating a sustainable world.