David Sellers’ architectural journey began while working on commercial fishing boats in Alaska,
serving as a ship’s engineer to finance his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University. This
hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding of battery systems, potable and
wastewater systems, and generators. He later earned a master’s degree in architecture,
Urbanism, and Building Science from the Technical University Delft in the Netherlands. After
living abroad for a decade, David returned to the United States and joined The Nature
Conservancy of Hawaii, where he served as Operations Manager and Interim Director of the
Palmyra Atoll program. In this role, he managed a world-renowned research station and led the
Palmyra Renewable Energy Project, transitioning the station from diesel generators to a
renewable microgrid—saving over one million dollars annually and freeing funds for
conservation and research.
In 2015, David co-founded Hawaii Off-Grid Architecture & Engineering (HIOG) with architect
Rick McGovern and civil engineer Jacob Freeman. Building on McGovern’s established
practice, HIOG evolved into a pioneering architectural firm focused on sustainable and resilient
design. As President of AIA Maui in 2024, David played a key role in Maui wildfire recovery
efforts, partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and serving as a county-deputized safety
assessor for damaged structures within the burn zone. He also leads the design of Ohana Hope
Village, a mid-term housing project providing relief for displaced Lahaina residents.
David serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Maui, where he champions
innovative construction materials and methods. He was recently honored with the Gordon W.
Bradley Humanitarian Award, presented by the AIA Honolulu Chapter and the Hawaii
Architectural Foundation for his outstanding humanitarian contributions. The award recognizes
his leadership in advancing sustainable design and his commitment to serving communities in
need, including providing free rebuilding plans and supporting wildfire recovery efforts across
Maui. He has been a driving force behind introducing mass timber solutions to the Hawaiian
Islands, incorporating this sustainable technology into new residential projects and other
developments. David has officially declared his candidacy for AIA National 2027 Presidentelect/
2028 President.