Meet The Judges: 2025

Justin Stapleton

Meteorologist, KPRC Channel 2 News

Justin Stapleton is an award-winning meteorologist who has tracked hurricanes, floods, and Texas heat in Houston since 2015. He has broadcast life-saving information through multiple severe weather events including Hurricane Harvey.

Justin loves to teach weather and has been an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Natural Sciences at UHD, teaching meteorology courses.

Before jumping into the world of television, he worked as a crisis intervention psychologist with the Baltimore County Police; he carries a master’s in clinical psychology as well as a master’s in geosciences from Mississippi State University. He is an avid runner, a local craft beer media liaison, and most importantly, a proud four-time girl dad

tony Doung

COO, Houston Food Bank

Mr. Duong has over 20 years of operational and leadership experience in the food & beverage industry. Before joining HFB, Tony was the Vice President of Manufacturing at Salt & Straw Ice Cream in Portland, OR. He attended Johnson and Wales University, Miami, FL, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Arts Food and Beverage Management. Additionally, Tony is certified in AIB Food Processing/Sanitation, OSHA General Industry Safety and Health, and SQF Program and Maintenance Trained. Tony is married and has two daughters. They are dog lovers who enjoy traveling, golf, fishing, and the great outdoors.

Rusty Bienvenue

Executive Director, AIA Houston

Rusty Bienvenue has served as Executive Director of AIA Houston since October 2010 and has run professional associations for more than 25 years. He is a recovering attorney who began his career as an Assistant District Attorney and later defended multi-national corporations involved in large scale product liability litigation at a large Houston firm. Rusty was born in Houston, but grew up in 11 different cities (small towns mostly) in 7 different states. He returned to Texas to attend the University of Texas and to Houston to attend the University of Houston Law Center. Rusty was elected to the Council of Architecture Component Executives (CACE) in 2017, served as CACE President in 2021 & 2022 and on the AIA National Board of Directors in 2022 & 2023.

Brad Hilton

Founder, J. Bradley Experience, Inc.

J. Bradley Hilton, a proud member of the Hilton family, began his career with Hilton Hotels Corporation at age 17. Over the span of 14 years, he developed his expertise within the family business, making significant strides in corporate growth. One of his notable achievements includes increasing corporate solicitations from $700 million to $1.2 billion in a single year, an accomplishment that underscores his ability to drive engagement and elevate business outcomes within a global enterprise. Today, Brad channels his vision and expertise into The J. Bradley Experience, a company dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and businesses around the world. With a commitment to the legacy of his grandfather, Conrad N. Hilton, his mission is to redefine luxury through curated experiences that create everlasting memories. By anticipating emerging trends and embracing new opportunities, he aims to fill the world with warmth, light, unparalleled hospitality, and advanced technologies.

Paula Canada

Director of Alumni Relations,
Hines College of Architecture & Design, University of Houston

Paula Canada has been with the University of Houston for three decades, gaining valuable experience working with both internal and external constituencies. She comes to the Hines College after 12 years with the College of Education. As part of the communications team there, she collaborated with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners to provide a myriad of events. Not only does Paula have an extensive career with UH, but she is also a two-time alumna with degrees from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the Graduate College of Social Work. Now, as director of alumni relations, Paula leads the Hines College’s alumni engagement programs, coordinates with the Architecture + Design Alumni Association board, and builds relationships between alumni and students.

Dean Patricia Oliver, AIA

Dean of Architecture,
Hines College of Architecture & Design, University of Houston

Patricia Oliver received her master’s in architecture degree from UCLA. After graduation Ms. Oliver worked for many notable Southern California architects including Frank O. Gehry, Charles Moore, Craig Hodgetts and Robert Mangurian at Studio Works, and Coy Howard, Ms. Oliver opened her own office, Oliver Kurze Georges, in Los Angeles. While maintaining her practice, she taught at California State Polytechnic University – Pomona, where she was Associate Dean of the College of Environmental Design. In 1992, Ms. Oliver joined Art Center College of Design as Chairman of a new department of Environmental Design. In this position she developed programs in Environmental Product Design, Interior Architecture, Environmental Graphics and Entertainment Design, and in 2000 she became the Senior Vice President of Educational Planning and Architecture, working with design architects Frank Gehry, Craig Hodgetts, Ming Fung, and Kevin Daly on the campus expansion. On January 20, 2010, Patricia became the first woman and the first non-Texan Dean of the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture at the University of Houston, since its inception in 1945.