Meet Our 2026 Speakers!
Erica A. Banks | City of Richmond
Erica A. Banks is a Planner and GIS Analyst with the City of Richmond’s department of Planning and Development Review. Erica works within the Division of Planning and Policy where she and her team work to implement the City’s master plan, Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth.
Rebecca Benz, GISP | City of Chesapeake
Rebecca Benz (GISP) is the Deputy Planning Director for the City of Chesapeake Planning Department, where she has worked over 25 years. Rebecca earned a Master’s of Arts in Geography from East Carolina University and an undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo. She has extensive experience in management, budget and contract oversight, effective community engagement, customer service, and Geographic Information Systems. Rebecca has been involved in three successful Comprehensive Plan adoptions, with the most recent, Chesapeake 2045, adopted in January 2026. She has been on the project teams for many other award-winning studies and plans and provides oversight for the City’s Housing and Urban Development grants. Rebecca is committed to local government service and making sure Chesapeake is an exceptional place to live, learn, work, farm, and play.
Steph Bertaina | U.S. EPA Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization
Steph Bertaina works with the U.S. EPA Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization in Washington DC, where she helps rural communities and small towns build economically vibrant, healthy, sustainable, and inclusive neighborhoods and downtowns. Steph manages the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities program, which is partnering with rural communities across the country to help them leverage the power of outdoor recreation to diversify local economies and revitalize main streets.
Jason Beske, AICP | Stantec
Jason brings nearly 20 years of experience leading transformative initiatives that have helped communities across North America manage growth in ways that build economic competitiveness, promote equity, and enhance livability. This work has ranged from large-scale comprehensive planning and civic engagement initiatives to planning for individual neighborhoods, districts, and high-profile sites.
Julie Bolthouse, AICP| Piedmont Environmental Council
Julie Bolthouse is the Director of Land Use at Piedmont Environmental Council where she's worked for 16 years. She manages nine field staff that work on energy and land use issues in Clarke, Loudoun, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Orange, Madison, Greene, and Albemarle counties. She holds a Bachelors in Fisheries Science with a minor in Watershed Management and two Masters degrees in Urban Affairs and Planning and Natural Resources. Her advocacy work has allowed her to work on a wide variety of land use issues for the past decade but for the past three years she has been focused primarily on the pressing issue of the growing data center market in Virginia and massive expansions of the state's energy infrastructure to serve it.
Joe Borgstrom | Place + Main Advisors
Joe Borgstrom is a principal in the consulting firm, Place + Main Advisors, LLC, which he co-founded with his wife, Kirsten Borgstrom. Place & Main Advisors specializes in downtown and traditional commercial district revitalization using Placemaking techniques and Main Street strategies.
JD Brown, J.D. | University of Virginia
JD Brown explores the intersection of urban planning and policy frameworks to help cities nurture abundant, biodiverse, and equitably accessible nature. JD is a Policy & Planning Senior Associate with Second Nature Ecology + Design and the Program Director for Biophilic Cities, located in the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture, where he collaborates with partners in cities around the world to shape innovative mechanisms to advance the planning and design of biophilic cities.
Kellie Brown | City of Charlottesville
Kellie Brown is the Director of the City of Charlottesville Neighborhood Services Department. She has 20 years of experience as a community development professional and planner in both the public and private sectors. Previously she was the Comprehensive Planning supervisor in the Arlington County Planning Division, which included leadership for small area plans and Arlington County’s Missing Middle Housing Study. Kellie’s career has also included consulting work for real estate and economic development clients.
Renee Burton | City of Danville
Renee serves as the Director of Planning and Zoning for Danville, Virginia. As Director, Renee led the PLAN Danville Comprehensive Plan, winner of the 2025 Virginia Plan of the Year Award - Population Under 100,000. She brings over 20 years of planning experience and holds an undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech in Environmental Policy and Planning.
Mike Callahan, AICP | Line and Grade
Mike is the Director of Community Planning for Line and Grade, an urban planning, civil engineering, and design studio with offices in Charlottesville, Richmond, and Chapel Hill. His projects primarily focus on long-range transportation and land use planning, urban design, communication, and public engagement for local government clients across Virginia and North Carolina. Mike formerly served as a consultant to the U.S. EPA’s smart growth program where he advised local governments in more than 25 states. His career started in local government with stints for the City of Raleigh, Town of Chapel Hill, and the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization. Mike has a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Outside of planning Mike volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville, where he serves as the board president, and coaches Little League baseball.
Janice Canaday | Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Mrs. Janice Canaday was born and raised in Williamsburg, Virginia and attended Williamsburg James City County Public Schools. She has raised six children and attends First Baptist Church on Scotland Street where she is a member of the trustee board. Mrs. Canaday presently works for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as a museum educator and interpreter and is Supervisor of Interpretation for the Peyton Randolph House and the African American community engagement manager. She has also been a Museum Educator, Interpreter and Trainer and has worked with the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute. An award-winning baker and entrepreneur, Ms. Canaday also serves on the Racial Reconciliation Committee with Historic Bruton Parish Church and is a member of the Advisory Council for the African American Historic Trail for the City of Williamsburg.
Tanya Denckla Cobb | University of Virginia
Tanya Denckla Cobb, Director of the University of Virginia’s Institute for Engagement & Negotiation (IEN), is a professional public policy mediator with extensive experience facilitating complex community and environmental issues. Her work focuses on conflict resolution, cross-sector collaboration, and consensus-building in challenging policy contexts. Tanya also teaches and trains widely in negotiation and leadership, serving as co-founder and faculty for the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute and as an instructor for the National Preservation Institute.
Will Cockrell, AICP | EPR PC
Will Cockrell, AICP is a Principal Planner with extensive experience in long-range transportation planning, multimodal planning, and comprehensive planning across Virginia. He previously spent a decade at the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, where he served as Director of Planning and MPO Coordinator and managed multiple metropolitan and rural transportation programs. Will has led numerous long-range transportation plans, transit studies, and comprehensive plans statewide and is widely recognized for his expertise in planning implementation and government processes. He serves on the APA Virginia Board and teaches planning methods at the University of Virginia.
Charlotte Cole | Town of Colonial Beach & Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB)
Charlotte Cole holds dual roles as the Economic Development Director of the Town of Colonial Beach and the Executive Director of Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB). Charlotte has led efforts for Main Street programs across Virginia.
Sophia Constantine, AICP | Nelson\Nygaard
Sophia Constantine takes a person-centered approach for community-friendly mobility. At Nelson\Nygaard, she leads parking and mobility projects across the United States. She was the Capacity Builder Lead for Roanoke as part of USDOT's Thriving Communities Program (FY 2022). Sophia is the Capacity Builder Lead for Lynchburg as part of the current USDOT Thriving Communities Program. Prior to her time at Nelson\Nygaard, Sophia wrote and published four papers on the transition to autonomous vehicles.
Mike Craig, AICP | Town of Ashland
More information coming soon!
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Sean Crippen, M.B.A. | Crippen and Associates, LLC
As Board Chair for VACV’s Board of Directors and as a constituent of the 8th district (the community VACV serves), Sean have seen firsthand how the organization’s equitable, empowering approach to community engagement translates resident insight into durable, community-led solutions along the Richmond Highway Corridor.
Matt Dalon, PE, CFM | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Matt Dalon is the Office of Resilience Planning Program Manager at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). In this position, Matt leads efforts to develop and implement the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan and the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan, both aimed at increasing flood resilience across the state.
Dwayne D'Ardenne, CGM, CPWP-M, ENV SP | City of Roanoke
Dwayne D’Ardenne is an accomplished public works professional with 25+ years of experience driving sustainable infrastructure solutions. Dwayne joined the City of Roanoke in 2000, overseeing different departments in the Transportation Division before establishing the City of Roanoke’s Stormwater Utility. He transitioned back to the Transportation Division in 2020, where he currently serves as Transportation Division Manager. As Transportation Division Manager, Dwayne and his team oversee all rights-of-way within City limits. Dwayne led the City of Roanoke’s Thriving Communities Program efforts and oversees implementation of the Williamson Road road diet pilot.
Anne Darby, AICP | Summit Design and Engineering
Anne Darby, AICP is the Planning Department Manager for Summit Design and Engineering Services. She has been planning for Virginia localities for nearly two decades, first in the public sector and as a private consultant since 2020. As Planning Department Manager, she manages a wide range of planning projects across the Commonwealth and North Carolina.
Chris DeWitt, AICP | VHB
Chris DeWitt, AICP, is a planner with 34 years of public and private sector experience. He is currently a Principal with VHB, where he serves as Mid-Atlantic State and Local Government Market Leader. Throughout his career, he has focused on community-driven placemaking and design of public open space, parks, and active mobility improvements. Chris received a Bachelor of City Planning degree from the University of Virginia, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Chris began his career as a planner with Gloucester County, VA, where he helped implement the county’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance and update the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Ordinance.
Michele Mixner DeWitt, AICP
Michele Mixner DeWitt serves as the Interim City Manager for the City of Williamsburg, bringing three decades of public-sector leadership to the role. Since joining the City in 2005 as its first Economic Development Director, Michele has been a catalyst for growth, expanding that department to provide premier concierge services to the business community and overseeing the $5 million City Tourism Development Fund.
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Her leadership earned her promotions to Assistant City Manager in 2021 and Deputy City Manager in late 2025. She was also appointed by the Circuit Court to serve as the Interim Commissioner of the Revenue for the 2025 calendar year.
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A native of Virginia Beach, Michele holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia School of Architecture and a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her career is defined by "firsts," having served as the first environmental planner for Middlesex County and the first Economic Development Director for West Point and Williamsburg.
An active leader in her field, Michele is a Past President of the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) and currently serves as President of the Williamsburg Garden Club. She lives in downtown Williamsburg with her husband, Chris, and their dog, Charlotte – a local celebrity who never misses an opportunity to greet Colonial Williamsburg interpreters for a treat.
Ozlem Edizel-Tasci, PhD | University of Virginia
Ozlem Edizel-Tasci is a Senior Associate at the University of Virginia’s Institute for Engagement & Negotiation (IEN), where she supports the development of resilience, and regional capacity-building initiatives. Her work focuses on community engagement, governance design, and collaborative planning processes related to climate adaptation, and regional planning.
Asa R. Eslocker, ASLA | Weston & Sampson
Asa R. Eslocker is an interdisciplinary Technical Leader at Weston & Sampson focused on place-based storytelling, planning, and creative public engagement strategies. A two-time National News Emmy Award recipient, he began his career in investigative journalism at ABC News in New York before pivoting to landscape architecture, planning, and the engineering and architecture sectors. Asa has produced dozens of community-based films and explainer videos for public agencies across the United States, as well as the award-winning documentary “Landscapes of Longevity,” which premiered at the Virginia Film Festival. He has presented on the power of storytelling at APA National, APA Virginia, ASLA, and AIA conferences, and has taught design communications and studio courses at the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture. Asa holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis. He believes storytelling is a critical complement to technical practice for planners and A/E/C professionals for building more equitable, inclusive, and resilient communities.
Alison Eubank, AICP | Stromberg/Garrigan and Associates
Alison is a Project Planner at Stromberg/Garrigan and Associates where she administers statewide contracts, manages work orders and leads various planning initiatives. She has fourteen years of experience working primarily in local and federal government, and brings expertise in small area planning, public engagement, and project management. She holds a BA in Architecture from Clemson University and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Jason Espie, AICP | Revive Strategies
Jason Espie, AICP is the principal and co-founder of Revive Strategies as well as the Senior Director of Planning at Jaunt. In his decades as a planner, he has worked with the EPA’s Local Foods, Local Places program, helping communities across the U.S. realize their vision for a strong local food economy.
Karen E. Firehock, AICP | Green Infrastructure Center, Inc.
Ms. Firehock founded the Green Infrastructure Center (GIC) in 2006. She has 34 years of experience in natural resources management and planning. She directs the GIC’s projects and develops strategic research and field projects. She is the author of numerous green infrastructure (GI) planning books, guides, case studies and videos and has worked on GI projects in 12 states as well as designed webinars for the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and for universities. She has also taught at state and national conferences for the American Planning Association. She has developed many planning tools including Planning for Forest Connectivity in the Developing Landscape based on two conservation subdivisions she designed, statewide models of habitat corridors, a guide to including forests in Comprehensive Plans. a guide to developing codes and ordinances for urban trees, resiliency plans for coastal cities and dozens of green infrastructure plans for cities, towns and counties. She is also an adjunct professor in planning at the University of Virginia and a planning commissioner for Albemarle County.
B.T. Fitzpatrick III | Town of Boones Mill
B.T. Fitzpatrick III, Town Manager of Boones Mill since 2018, brings 28 years of experience in public administration and community development. A former project manager for one of the first EPA Brownfield AWP Grants and a member of Roanoke’s Brownfield Team, he also helped develop the citywide brownfield inventory and shared this work nationally. In Boones Mill, he is applying his redevelopment and planning expertise to what may become the Town’s largest project, while also leading downtown revitalization efforts, new civic facilities, and future flood mitigation planning. He holds a degree in Public and International Affairs with a minor in Environmental Policy and Planning from Virginia Tech.
Christine Fix, AICP | Virginia Passenger Rail Authority
Christine Fix, AICP, Director of Planning at the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, leads the agency’s environmental program, including NEPA, environmental commitments, permitting, planning and policy development. With over 20 years of experience, she has managed rail planning projects, NEPA documentation and secured $143 million in federal funding for transportation projects across the county.
Kit Friedman, CFM, CBLP | Crater Planning District Commission
Kit Friedman is the Environment and Resilience Planner for the Crater Planning District Commission—a regional planning agency whose footprint spans eleven localities and two major watersheds in south-central Virginia. They are a two-time graduate of Virginia Tech, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Conservation and a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning. Their interdisciplinary experience allows them to take a multi-faceted approach to environmental resilience challenges across the Crater region, ranging from a large-scale regional resilience planning to local tree planting projects, and bringing critical funding and attention to the region’s natural assets.
Cecile Gaines, AICP | Berkley Group
Cecile Gaines, AICP, is a senior planner with nearly 30 years of experience serving local governments in professional, elected, and appointed roles. Her background includes comprehensive planning, small area and regional planning, zoning and subdivision ordinance updates, transportation planning, and community engagement. She has extensive experience working with residents, planning commissions, and governing bodies to translate community goals into actionable plans and regulations. Cecile is an AICP-certified planner with a Bachelor’s degree in Public and Urban Affairs and a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech.
Rupsha Ghosh | Kimley-Horn
Rupsha Ghosh is an Environmental Project Manager and Planner in Kimley-Horn’s Northern Virginia office who specializes in transit planning and environmental compliance for large-scale infrastructure transit projects. Rupsha has over nine years of experience preparing and reviewing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation and is currently the environmental manager for several capital improvement projects in the $6 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) program with Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) to improve passenger, commuter, and freight service in Virginia. Rupsha’s involvement includes overseeing advancement of technical studies, coordination with federal agencies, and working with compliance agencies and VPRA to determine necessary mitigation measures while also playing a pivotal role in supporting programmatic approaches for VPRA and managing rail service changes during and after construction of the TRV projects. In this way, Rupsha incorporates planning concepts and environmental compliance to oversee projects holistically.
Emily Gibson | Virginia Tech
Emily Gibson is the Director of Local Government and Community Relations for Virginia Tech's Office of Government and Community Relations. Emily earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environment Policy & Planning from Virginia Tech.
Jeremy Goldstein | Line and Grade
Jeremy is the Director of Technical Planning at Line and Grade. With 20 years of experience, he is responsible for land use, transportation, and economic planning and analysis, including socioeconomic and demographic forecasting, housing market analysis, and geographic information systems (GIS) analysis.
Cora Gnegy | Giles County
Cora Gnegy is the Tourism Director for Giles County, Virginia, where she combines a love for outdoor adventure with a strategic approach to destination marketing. With a passion for agritourism, heritage experiences, and discovering new places, Cora works to position Giles County as a must-visit destination in Southwest Virginia. She holds a B.B.A. in Management from James Madison University and a M.S. in Agricultural and Life Sciences from Virginia Tech. In her current role, Cora leads marketing strategies and partnerships that drive visitor traffic, including cooperative advertising and public relations initiatives. Her work also extends to visitor experience and quality-of-life projects that support destination development, outdoor recreation, agritourism and heritage marketing, and long-term economic and community growth.
Tevya Williams Griffin, AICP | City of Williamsburg
Tevya is the Director of Planning and Codes Compliance for the City of Williamsburg, bringing over two decades of public service experience from roles in Isle of Wight County and the City of Hopewell, where she served as Director of Development. A Certified Planner, she has led major initiatives in housing, historic preservation, zoning, and community development, including managing a decade-long Community Development Block Grant program. She is the founder and president of the Cape Charles Rosenwald School Restoration Initiative, a nonprofit restoring a historic school into a community center that opened in January of this year. Her work reflects a deep commitment to equitable, health-conscious planning and community engagement. Above all, she cherishes her marriage and three children, who inspire her dedication to building stronger communities.
Tori Haynes | Berkley Group
Tori Haynes is an urban planner with experience supporting local governments across Virginia through comprehensive planning, zoning ordinance updates, and land use analysis. Her background spans public-sector planning and private-sector consulting and includes ordinance drafting, development plan review, and public engagement. She regularly facilitates meetings, advises boards and governing bodies, and communicates technical planning concepts in a clear and accessible manner. Tori holds a Bachelor’s degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Mary Washington.
Julia Hensley | Augusta County
Julia E. Hensley is an urban planner specializing in land use analysis, economic development, geographic information systems (GIS), and growth management. She received three degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and has since focused on building a career in public service. Prior to heading the Planning division in Augusta County, Julia performed regional land use research and worked in economic development for both the Commonwealth of Virginia and Augusta County.
Erin Herock, AICP, LEED Green Associate | Weston & Sampson
Erin is an AICP certified Resiliency Planner at Weston & Sampson, working with communities across the East Coast, particularly in Virginia and North Carolina, to address current and future climate risks. Her work focuses on climate adaptation and hazard mitigation planning, with an emphasis on nature-based stormwater management practices. Erin holds a Master of Urban + Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia School of Architecture and has an extensive academic background in environmental science and public policy. She is passionate about developing equitable, forward-thinking resilience solutions that reflect local capacity, geography, and community priorities.
Tyler Hinkle, AICP | EPR PC
Tyler Hinkle, AICP is a Senior Planner with experience in comprehensive planning, transportation and infrastructure planning, conservation, and zoning reform. He previously served as County Planner for Shenandoah County, Virginia, where he led the Shenandoah 2045 comprehensive plan focused on balancing preservation with strategic investment. Tyler’s work emphasizes data-driven analysis, GIS, and capital impact modeling to support clear, implementable planning decisions. He was the 2023 APA Virginia Distinguished New Professional Award recipient and currently serves as Shenandoah Valley Section Director for APA Virginia.
Kelly Hitchcock | Central Virginia Planning District Commission
Kelly provides guidance to the CVPDC planning program. She coordinates with localities to develop, apply, and manage community, environmental, transportation, mitigation planning and implementation projects. Hitchcock coordinates with local, state and federal agencies to advance regional projects including the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and the Hazard Mitigation Plan. She also plays a key role in advancing alternative transportation plans and programs in the region.
Victoria Holmes, AICP, PWS | Kimley-Horn
Victoria Holmes, AICP, PWS, is an Environmental Scientist and Planner at Kimley-Horn’s Virginia Beach office, specializing in NEPA documentation, environmental studies, and planning. Victoria plays a key role in the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s $6 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia program, guiding projects through NEPA re-evaluation process with the Federal Rail Administration and coordinating the program’s Clean Water Act permitting needs with the Army Corps of Engineers. Victoria integrates planning principles seamlessly into her environmental work, ensuring cohesive and well-thought-out strategies that balance development needs with environmental stewardship. Her comprehensive approach ensures that infrastructure and planning projects meet regulatory requirements while achieving sustainable and community-focused outcomes.
Brea Hopkins, CZA, CTM | Montgomery County
Brea Hopkins has served the citizens of Montgomery County for over 23 years as a member of the Planning and GIS Services Department. She has held several positions with Montgomery County prior to being named Director in July 2022, including Planning and Zoning Administrator and Development Planner. While working for the County, Brea earned a Bachelor's Degree in Geography, with a concentration in Planning from Radford University. She holds both her Certified Zoning Administrator and Certified Transportation Manager credentials through the Virginia Association of Zoning Officials (VAZO). Brea also serves as VAZO’s President.
Jessica Huang | Green Infrastructure Center, Inc.
Jessica Huang is the Community Forestry Planner at the Green Infrastructure Center.
Jessica works with cities and towns to enhance the resilience and equity of urban forests in Virginia. Her experience in community engagement, tree planting management, and landscape design informs her work supporting local governments in the protection and growth of our urban green infrastructure. She earned her B.A. degree in Environmental Studies with a Certificate in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Dickinson College and a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia.
Daniel C. Hyer, PE | Line and Grade
Daniel is a civil engineer and the founder of Line and Grade. A natural problem solver, he combines data-driven insights with intuition to navigate complex challenges, creating innovative solutions while adapting to evolving project demands. Known for his exceptional communication and leadership skills, Daniel excels at managing teams, fostering collaboration, and keeping stakeholders aligned. He approaches his professional work with a thoughtful, composed mindset and maintains a steady hand under pressure, making measured decisions that keep projects on track, teams motivated, and outcomes consistently successful. With a commitment to precision, efficiency, and professionalism, Daniel continues to deliver work that makes a lasting impact on communities.
Stefanie E. Jackson | City of Danville
As the Long Range and Neighborhood Planner for the Community Development Department, Stefanie supports local development projects and urban planning initiatives with a focus on neighborhoods. Prior to her role with the City, she was a Paralegal & Project Manager at PLDR Law in Danville (2023–2025), and previously at Wilson & Ratledge, PLLC in North Carolina. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration & Law (2023) and a Project Management certification (2025) from Western Carolina University.
Lynne Keenan, AICP| Kimley-Horn
Lynne has over 18 years of experience in the public and private sector, focusing on land use, master planning and program management. With a focus on redevelopment, Lynne has focused on the Hampton Roads region and the potential to reimagine underutilized parcels in conjunction with small area plans, commercial corridor studies and comprehensive plans. She has previously worked for Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) as a Community Planner and as the Fredericksburg Residency Administrator for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
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Tyler Klein, AICP | Frederick County
Tyler is a Senior Planner with the Frederick County, VA Department of Planning and Development. Tyler is primarily responsible for ordinance development, long-range planning, and zoning map amendments. Tyler has over 15 years of local government experience across northwest Virginia having previously worked for Loudoun County and the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC). Tyler is a graduate of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Master of Urban & Regional Planning Program (2011), and a L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Fellow. Tyler also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Tech in Political Science and History. Tyler is active with the American Planning Association (APA) Virginia Chapter, a member of the Rural Planning Caucus of Virginia (RPC), and the Mid-Atlantic Planning Collaboration (MAPC). Tyler has served in leadership roles with the APA Virginia Chapter Board of Directors member, including the Vice President for Legislative and Policy Affairs.
Amanda Klepper, AICP | Line and Grade
Amanda is an analytical planner with international experience in transportation planning, spatial analysis, statistics, and modeling. After completing a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning, she moved overseas to work in New Zealand and Australia, and has brought innovative ideas home to apply to her work in North Carolina. She is now a senior planner at Line and Grade in Chapel Hill.
Steve Lambert | City of Virginia Beach
Steve is an Active Transportation Planner passionate about connecting communities through sustainable design. Currently driving initiatives at the City of Virginia Beach, Steve specializes in securing capital funding and leading regional planning efforts. Since 2017, Steve has helped secure over $70 million for trail and transportation projects in the Hampton Roads region. Steve's approach is grounded in relationship building—uniting stakeholders to create safer, more accessible public spaces.
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Brian J Laverty, AICP | Mead and Hunt
Brian a certified professional planner (AICP) with over 25 years of experience in multimodal planning. Brian has worked with several municipalities, counties, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and state DOTs and uses his collaborative style to develop innovative transportation plans that balance land use, transportation, and economic development in urban environments. Brian’s project experience includes planning and design for complete streets, road diets, traffic safety improvements, land use planning, bus stop accessibility, pedestrian and bicycle networks, long-range transportation plans, multimodal transit station planning, capital programming and bus operations. He provides integration of transit services with highway, walking and biking networks across multiple transportation agencies and local, state, and federal levels of government, from the neighborhood scale to the regional scale.
Jessica Lawrence | Friends of Southwest Virginia
Jessica Lawrence is an outdoor recreation leader with extensive experience in environmental conservation and project management. She collaborates with communities, businesses, and public agencies to develop sustainable trails, parks, and outdoor initiatives that highlight the natural beauty of Southwest Virginia. A lifelong advocate for nature, she is committed to fostering wellness, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship throughout the region.
Courtney Mailey | Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
Courtney Mailey is the Program Manager of Virginia’s Main Street America Coordinating Program. In addition to leading the VMS team, Courtney is a passionate small-scale real estate developer, and she has been working in community and economic development for 20+ years. She loves old buildings, fresh ideas and more.
Makenzie Mann | Mead & Hunt and Virginia Tech
Makenzie Mann is a recent graduate of the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program at Virginia Tech and currently serves as a Planner I with Mead & Hunt. While at Virginia Tech, she led the Graduate Urban Affairs and Planning Association and worked as a graduate research assistant with the VT Center for Economic and Community Engagement, contributing to research on housing insecurity, childcare, and substance use disorder services. Her professional experience includes co-leading the City of Roanoke Hope & Home Task Force, presenting at regional conferences and workshops, and receiving the Virginia Citizens Association Planning Scholarship. Makenzie holds dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Kentucky and has completed planning and transit internships in Kentucky. Her thesis research on campus Safe Ride programs reflects her commitment to Vision Zero and safer streets for all, informed by personal experience and a strong dedication to public service.
Jimmy McNamara | City of Chesapeake
Jimmy McNamara earned a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning and a post-graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems from VCU. After graduation, he worked for the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization and as a planner for Virginia Beach before joining Chesapeake in 2019, where he now serves as Planning Director. Under his leadership, the Chesapeake Planning Department has delivered innovative, award-winning projects, including the Chesapeake Industrial Waterfront Study and Trails & Connectivity Plan. Recognized for his contributions to the profession, Jimmy received the George R. House, Jr. Award for Outstanding Service in 2022 and was recently named to Virginia Business’s 40 Under 40 list.
Nat McCormick, AIA | City of Chesapeake
Nat McCormick is a professional architect and the City of Chesapeake’s Community Design Manager. A graduate of Williams College, he received his Masters in Architecture from the University of Virginia and started his career with the Norfolk-based firm Hanbury, where he worked on projects like the renovation of the Governor’s Mansion in Richmond and the Olympic Village for the Salt Lake City Winter Games. Moving to the public sector, he worked for Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, managing the infill housing program and special projects such as the renovation of the Governor’s School for the Arts.
Nat has been with the City of Chesapeake since 2022 and is focused on managing major studies such as the Greenbrier Area Plan and consulting on the planning and design of new developments throughout the city.
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Kendra Moon, PE | Line and Grade
Kendra leads Line and Grade’s Land Development practice. She is known for maintaining a calm, strategic approach to challenges while ensuring efficiency and productivity. As a natural leader, she fosters a collaborative and goal-oriented environment, consistently delivering results through meticulous planning and execution. Recognized for her punctuality and reliability, Kendra plays a key role in driving departmental success and aligning team efforts with organizational objectives.
Eunju Namkung, MPA, CSM | Virginia Tech
Eunju Namkung is a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) candidate at Virginia Tech, specializing in the intersection of technology infrastructure, public policy, and community deliberation. With an extensive professional background in digital product management and strategic communications, her current work focuses on the socio-technical impacts of data center siting and the physical footprint of emerging technologies. Eunju holds a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech and a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University. She is a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and is dedicated to applying agile frameworks and collaborative engagement strategies to address complex urban planning and policy challenges.
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Sree Nampoothiri, PhD, AICP | Northern Virginia Transportation Authority
Sree Nampoothiri, PhD, AICP, is the Senior Manager at the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) overseeing the development of long range transportation plans, funding programs, and other initiatives such as bus rapid transit (BRT), transportation technology, and bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, among others. Sree has more than 25 years of public and private sector experience in transportation planning, urban planning, travel forecasting, data analytics, urban design, and architecture. He is passionate about multimodal transportation planning, funding, and innovation.
Savannah Newbern, CFM | Berkley Group
Savannah Newbern, Senior Planner with the Berkley Group, is a certified floodplain manager and planner who is passionate about improving community resilience through capacity-building, thoughtful planning and innovative solutions. Her areas of expertise include floodplain management, coastal and natural resource planning, organizational development, and land use regulation. Savannah is a member of the Board of Directors for the Virginia Floodplain Management Association (VFMA) and holds a B.S. from East Carolina University in Urban and Regional Planning.
Peter Ohlms, AICP | Virginia Transportation Research Council
Peter Ohlms, AICP, is a Senior Research Scientist with the Virginia DOT’s research division, the Virginia Transportation Research Council, and coordinates the agency’s Transportation Planning Research Advisory Committee. He chairs the Transportation Research Board’s Standing Committee on Transit System Planning and the Project Panel for NCHRP 20-44(52), Implementing a Guide for Urban and Suburban Roadway Cross-Section Reallocation. Lately, his studies have examined crosswalk treatments with illumination when sensors detect pedestrians, the maintenance implications of green bike lanes and flexpost-separated bike lanes, the utility of improved nonmotorized volume predictions, the use of vehicle miles traveled as a metric, and a tool to evaluate travel demand management strategies by their effect on transit ridership.
Taylor Parker, AICP | Timmons
Taylor Parker is a Project Manager with Timmons Group specializing in early-stage planning, master planning, and strategic land development for public and private clients. Her work focuses on guiding projects from visioning through implementation while balancing regulatory requirements, client expectations, and economic realities. Taylor regularly collaborates with local government staff, elected officials, and multidisciplinary teams across Virginia. Through her consulting practice, she brings practical insight into the day-to-day realities of private-sector planning and public–private collaboration.
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Lorna Parkins, FAICP | Michael Baker International
Lorna Parkins has 38 years of professional experience, serving in both the public and private sectors. Lorna has worked for Michael Baker International for 28 years and serves as Office Executive for the Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA offices, where she manages a multidisciplined transportation team and a civil and environmental engineering team totaling over 70 staff. Her professional expertise is in transportation planning, spanning all modes of transportation with an emphasis on multimodal planning.
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Lorna is a leader in several professional associations, serving an active role on several boards where she contributes to leadership development, conference planning, and other initiatives. These boards include WTS International Central Virginia Chapter; Virginia Transit Association; Virginians for High Speed Rail; the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance, and the American Planning Association Virginia Chapter, where she is FAICP chair and supports the chapter’s Leadership Academy. Lorna has a BA in Urban Affairs and Planning from Virginia Tech and an MS in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows (FAICP).
Ashley Peace | Tract
Ashley Peace is Director, Construction for Tract. Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech, and her Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Marianne Pitts | City of Richmond
Marianne Pitts is a Senior Deputy Director with City of Richmond’s Department of Planning and Development Review. She leads the Planning and Policy Division which works across City departments to implement the citywide Master Plan, Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth, through node and corridor plans, city-initiated rezonings, and the comprehensive update to the zoning ordinance, the Code Refresh project.
Amanda Poncy, AICP | EPR PC
Amanda Poncy, AICP, is a Principal Planner at EPR with more than 20 years of experience helping communities create vibrant and healthy places through active transportation and recreational opportunities. She has worked in both the public and private sectors, serving a wide range of public clientele, including local governments, MPOs, and regional, state, and federal agencies. Amanda is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Virginia’s Urban and Environmental Planning Program.
Bella Purdy, AICP| Weston & Sampson
Bella Purdy, AICP, is a Climate Resilience Team Leader at Weston & Sampson, where she leads community‑focused climate adaptation and urban planning initiatives across the East Coast. Based in Richmond, Virginia, she holds a Master in City Planning from MIT and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia. She serves on the Board of Directors for Resilient Virginia, advancing statewide resilience efforts. Bella’s recent work includes Richmond’s Urban Forest Master Plan, Dare County’s first resilience plan, a regional resilience strategy for the Crater Planning District Commission, and a resilient park transformation in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
Sarah Richards, AICP, Assoc. DBIA | AECOM
Sarah Richards, AICP, Assoc. DBIA, is a Senior Associate with AECOM’s Economics and Real Estate Advisory practice, and holds a Master’s Degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. She has 13+ years of experience in economic development and planning for a wide range of clients and organizations. She works with clients large and small to help them identify targeted implementation strategies, sources of funding and financing, and project partners/champions to facilitate the transition from plan to reality.
Nick Rogers, AICP, CZA | Arlington County
Nick Rogers, AICP, CZA is a Principal Planner with Arlington County's Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development. He also serves as President of the American Planning Association’s Virginia Chapter.
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Thomas Ruff, PE, PTOE, AICP | Timmons Group
Thomas is a Principal within the Timmons Group Infrastructure Analysis & Planning Group and has over 15 years of experience providing expertise in multiple areas of traffic engineering, transportation planning, and roadway design, including corridor studies, innovative intersection design, and multi-modal infrastructure development.
David Samba, PE, PTOE, PTP, RSP2 | Kimley-Horn
David Samba is a senior transportation engineer and community planner with Kimley-Horn who brings 15 years of experience in comprehensive multimodal operations and planning.
David co-leads a multidisciplinary team at Kimley-Horn that blends detailed engineering and visionary planning to solve complex transportation challenges for communities of all sizes. Based out of Northern Virginia, David is passionate about creating great places and emphasizing safe, efficient access to those places for all members of the community. David has both a Masters and Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia.
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Meredyth Sanders | Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
Meredyth Sanders draws from her background in urban, environmental, and transportation planning to develop creative solutions to complex transportation challenges. She has contributed to long-range transportation plans, multimodal corridor studies, active transportation projects, and public engagement efforts in communities across Virginia and the United States. Meredyth has been involved in the development of multiple national transportation guidebooks, including NCHRP Report 1036, Roadway Cross-Section Reallocation: A Guide.
Todd Schenk | Virginia Tech
Todd Schenk is the Chair and an Associate Professor of Urban & Environmental Policy & Planning, Director of Science, Technology & Engineering in Policy Program, and Affiliated Faculty: Global Change Center (GCC), Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC) & Fralin Life Sciences Institute.
Randy Selleck, AICP | Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Randy Selleck is the Director of Rail Planning and Environmental for Virginia's DRPT. Randy earned his Bachelor of Arts in Geography from West Virginia University, and his Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Conor Semler | Kittelson & Associates, Inc.
Conor Semler draws on his experience in urban planning, traffic engineering, and technical research in complete streets design. Conor is highly regarded for his ability to leverage transportation design to create livable and healthy communities. Conor is a national leader in the planning and design of innovative bicycle facilities. He was involved in the development of both the NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide and the FHWA Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide. Conor’s experience is informed by his role in leading research, contributing to designs, and working closely with cities to continually evolve and innovate safer, more inviting bicycle facilities.
Devin Simpson, PE | Kimley-Horn
Devin Simpson, P.E., is a Project Manager with Kimley‑Horn specializing in community and multimodal planning, roadway safety, policy, and funding strategy. Devin is a licensed transportation engineer with a portfolio that spans from transportation planning and operations to community-wide planning. Devin led the City of Virginia Beach’s Bikeshare Feasibility Study that established an implementation framework for a future program and previously led the City’s Local Road Safety Action Plan. Her work has helped Virginia Beach secure more than $100 million in Federal and State transportation funding across programs such as SMART SCALE, SS4A, RAISE, and PROTECT. Devin also manages and supports complex small‑area, corridor, and mobility plans across Hampton Roads, translating technical analysis into community‑driven, implementable solutions.
Doug Stanley, AICP ICMA-CM | Prince Edward County
Douglas P. Stanley brings more than 30 years of local government experience in planning, administration, and executive leadership across Virginia. His career spans roles as Zoning Administrator, Planning Director, and County Administrator, with expertise in land use, capital planning, economic development, and complex infrastructure initiatives. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Virginia Local Government Management Association and holds leadership positions on several statewide and regional boards. Mr. Stanley holds degrees in geography, urban and regional planning, and public administration, and is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute.
Sean Suder, Esq., LEED AP| ZoneCo
Since 2014, ZoneCo Founder and CEO Sean Suder has led, managed, or worked on zoning code projects for more than 60 communities across 20 states and counting. Prior to founding ZoneCo, Sean served as Chief Counsel of Land Use and Planning for the City of Cincinnati where he represented the municipal corporation and its officials in all planning, land use, zoning, historic preservation and building matters; including serving as lead counsel for the award-winning Cincinnati Form-Based Code and Historic Preservation Ordinance. Sean is also a frequent speaker and panelist on the topics of zoning, zoning history, land use law, and historic preservation law. He has served as Ohio faculty for the Form-Based Code Institute (FBCI) (201 level) and is a member of the FBCI Resource Council.
Elizabeth Suffa, WEDG, AICP Candidate | Weston & Sampson
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Suffa is a Resiliency Planner at Weston & Sampson, based in Richmond, Virginia. She collaborates closely with communities across Virginia and Massachusetts to help them prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Lizzie holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia, where she also earned her Bachelor’s degree in Global Sustainability and Spanish. Her work centers on climate resilience and urban planning, with a strong focus on hazard mitigation planning and climate vulnerability assessments. Drawing on both academic training and hands-on experience, Lizzie brings an equity-centered, thoughtful approach to planning. She is committed to developing inclusive, actionable strategies that reflect the unique needs and priorities of each community—helping cities and municipalities become healthier, more sustainable, and better prepared for future challenges.
Bernard Suchicital | Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C.
Bernie Suchicital is a Land Use Planner in the Arlington office of the law firm Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C. Bernie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public & Urban Affairs from Virginia Tech.
Will Teeples, AICP | Summit Design and Engineering
Will Teeples has extensive planning and GIS experience, from mapping burial sites at cemeteries to performing complete surveys of vacant housing for localities. He has years of experience in spatial analysis, zoning, long-range planning, feasibility studies, economic development, policy analysis, and other planning concepts. He has supported planning efforts resulting in the adoption of major comprehensive plans, including Fredericksburg Forward and Woodstock, and ongoing plans in several other localities.
Bailey Thompson | City of Fredericksburg
Bailey Thompson is the Community Development Planner II for the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Originally from a rural pocket of northwestern Pennsylvania, Bailey moved to Virginia early in his career to pursue city planning in a more urban setting. He holds a master’s degree in Community and Economic Development from Penn State University and is a veteran of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
Caroline Vanterve, AICP | Berkley Group
Caroline Vanterve, AICP is a Principal Planner with Berkley Group and is passionate about working with communities across the Commonwealth and beyond to advance data-driven and equitable land planning and policymaking. Caroline has experience in both the public and private sectors and oversees many of Berkley Group's long-range planning projects, primarily ordinance rewrites and comprehensive plan updates. She has received two awards from APA Virginia in recognition of excellence in the planning profession. Caroline is an honors graduate of the University of Virginia and holds a B.S. Urban and Environmental Planning and a minor in Leadership and Public Policy.
Stephen Versen | Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission
Stephen Versen is the Deputy Director of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. He has over 20 years’ experience in state-level economic development, with extensive experience in rural and agricultural economic development.
Ross Weaver, AICP, CFM | Henrico County
Ross Weaver is the Floodplain & Dam Safety Manager for Henrico County, VA where he oversees the County's floodplain management, resilience planning, and dam safety programs. Previously, he was the Coastal Resilience Program Manager for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Program Assistant Director for Wetlands Watch, where he worked with localities and state agencies to promote natural infrastructure solutions to flooding. He is a Certified Floodplain Manager, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Karen Weber, P.G. | Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Karen Weber is a licensed geologist with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) and serves as the DEQ’s Brownfields Coordinator. She currently serves on the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Fund (VBAF) review committee, a collaborative effort with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). Karen earned a BS in Geoscience and a MAED with a focus on learning and motivation both from Virginia Tech. She currently serves as Adjunct Faculty in Virginia Tech’s Department of Geosciences.
Chris Whitney, AICP, CZA, CFM | City of Norfolk
Chris is a true product of Coastal Virginia – born in Norfolk, raised in Chesapeake, familial ties to Virginia Beach, and now working for the City of Norfolk’s Department of City Planning – and choosing a profession that could directly benefit his hometown has always been the goal. Chris was drawn to city planning because it unites various disciplines into one field where one can make a real and positive impact in a community. Chris has been with the City of Norfolk for nearly 14 years; most recently he led the city's new Comprehensive Plan, NFK2050 and manages the City's Comprehensive Planning Program. Chris feels that he can apply his education and experience in planning to this role and help make Norfolk, and the greater region, a leader in resilience, equity, and innovative planning practices.
Todd Wolford | Downtown Wytheville, Inc.
Todd Wolford is the Executive Director of Downtown Wytheville, Inc., bringing a strong background in community programming, public service, and outdoor recreation development. A committed regional leader, he was awarded the Mary Means Leadership Award by Main Street America in 2022 and selected for the Appalachian Leadership Institute in 2020. Wolford is passionate about partnership‑building, fostering positive change, and advancing initiatives that strengthen communities throughout Southwest Virginia and beyond.
Richard (Ricky) Wiatt, PLA | VHB
Ricky Wiatt is a Senior Landscape Architect at VHB with two decades of experience supporting localities and public agencies in delivering community-focused site and transportation projects. He specializes in master planning, complete streets, and pedestrian and shared-use path systems that enhance safety and connectivity. Ricky has deep knowledge of various Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation funding programs and regularly assists local governments with both state and federal grant applications and post-award management. He holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech and is a member of ASLA, ULI Virginia, and APA Virginia.
Kate Widness, AICP CNU-A | Kimley-Horn
Kate Widness, AICP, CNU-A is the senior transportation planner for Kimley-Horn's Northern Virginia Office. Over the past 13 years, Kate has supported multiple localities across the region and country preparing planning efforts of all scales, including active transportation plans, equity analyses, project prioritization, and resilience studies. Kate's experience also includes managing large-scale planning projects and integrating stakeholder and dynamic community engagement into planning efforts. Kate has a Masters of Science in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Environmental Studies from Florida State University.