HMC Architects is proud to announce that Sergio Lechuga, Assoc. IIDA, CID, and Julian Lopez, IIDA, NCIDQ, have been appointed to leadership roles on the 2025–26 Board of Directors for the IIDA Southern California Chapter.

Lechuga will serve as Vice President of Advocacy, where he will lead efforts to strengthen public policy, elevate the visibility of commercial interior design, and advocate for legislation that benefits both practitioners and the communities they serve. Lopez has been named Vice President of Professional Development, a role that will allow him to shape mentorship programs, learning opportunities, and career pathways for interior designers across Southern California.

These appointments are a testament to the leadership, talent, and purpose that they bring to HMC and the broader design community. At HMC, we believe that architecture and interior design are powerful tools to serve the greater good. Their new roles reflect our firm’s commitment to our Design for Good ethos—advancing the profession while making a positive impact on people, places, and the planet.

“Our industry thrives when we lead with purpose and elevate voices that drive meaningful change,” said James Krueger, AIA, NCARB, director of design at HMC Architects. “Sergio and Julian exemplify the kind of thoughtful, creative leadership that moves our profession forward. Their appointments to the IIDA SoCal Board reinforce our commitment to design excellence and making a positive impact through the built environment.”

We congratulate Sergio and Julian on this well-deserved recognition and are excited to see how their leadership will inspire progress, connection, and innovation within IIDA and beyond

For more information, visit the IIDA Southern California Chapter website.