People

President & CEO
André Taybron [ MPA ] [ M.U.P ] [ M.Arch ]
Andre was the first in his family to attend a four-year university, completing his Bachelor of Science in Communications and a Minor in Computer Information Systems from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC. Being the ambitious person he is, within a month after graduation, Andre took a relocation adventure, driving solo across country with Seattle, WA as his destination. He had only $250.00 in his pocket, no job and had a rented room in a house with four other guys waiting for his arrival.

Arriving in Seattle in 1996, Andre made the Pacific Northwest his home for over 15 years. Most recently, Andre earned a dual degree from the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments (formerly College of Architecture and Urban Planning) - Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Design & Planning (2012). His theses topics focused on U.S. housing policy, stigma reduction, deconcentration of poverty and urban design theories of New Urbanism and Everyday Urbanism; particularly, how the linkages among these influence mixed-income developments like HUD’s HOPE VI program. “Federally-supported mixed-income and mixed-use revitalization efforts such as the Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE VI) program and recent housing policies and plans, such as the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) - the successor program to HOPE VI, should be further studied as advocates continue to address this country’s low-income and affordable housing crises.” (Taybron 2012).

Andre received a Certificate of Achievement in Urban Design in addition to the two graduate degrees. Also, he is a 2007-2008 Graduate Opportunity & Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP) Diversity Fellow, and sat on the GO-MAP Student Advisory Board. He is also a 2008 AIA Seattle Endowed Scholarship for Diversity recipient, and a 2008-2009 award recipient of the Urban Design and Planning Scholarship.

Andre holds a Master of Public Administration from Seattle University (2000), where he focused his research and studies on the on-going local & national affordable housing crises & social justice issues.

In addition to practicing design and planning, project management and real estate investment & development through the small business he founded in 2000, BRONEIST Consulting, Andre hopes to continue advocating for accessibility to affordable housing and higher education for underrepresented persons and maintaining a strong presence within the community through civic engagement.
Andre has participated in numerous Study Abroad opportunities to Mexico City, Morelia and Guanajuato, Mexico, examining the impacts of planning and design on social and environmental justice issues in large, urban areas as well as in the rural, informal communities. Born in a small town within Eastern North Carolina and raised by a single mom, Andre has two older sisters, two younger brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews. He tries to visit his family as much as possible.

One of his biggest fans, a mentor and very influential persons was his grandmother, whom he has established a fellowship in honor and memory of her:
Pauline Peppers Taybron Architecture Fellowship through University of Washington’s The Graduate School/GO-MAP.

The family founded the Pauline Peppers Taybron Foundation to help individuals and families in need.

Visit the foundation’s website at http://pptfoundation.org

Affiliations
National Low-Income Housing Coalition member 2011,

University of Washington alumnus  [College of Built Environments]. Master of Urban Design & Planning  Master of Architecture

Founding Board Member - National Organization of Minority Architects Northwest Chapter in Seattle.

Licensed Washington State Real Estate Broker.

Seattle University Master of Public Administration alumnus (Institute of Public Service);

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc,  Alpha Alpha Rho/Alpha, Alpha Delta Sigma Chapter, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC