Meet our 2026
Conference Committee
Our Conference Committee plays a key role in bringing the Conference to life from reviewing session proposals and crafting mobile tours, to supporting countless details behind the scenes. If you see members of this team at the Conference, thank them for their hard work!
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Erin Dears
City of Suffolk
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Donald Whipple
City of Hampton
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Rachel Iwanczuk
Loudoun County
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Patrice Branch
City of Portsmouth
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Paula Loomis
Urban Collaborative
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Renee Burton
City of Danville
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Stefanie Jackson
City of Danville
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Amanda Paez
City of Danville
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Shanika Williams
City of Danville
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​Kelly Smith
Pittsylvania County
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Sherry Dawson
Hampton Roads Transit
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Hannah Woehrle
Crater District Planning
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APA Virginia Board Member Representatives
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Justin D. Sanders, AICP, CZA, CTM
Conference Chair
VP of Chapter Affairs
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Nick Rogers, AICP, CZA
President
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Andrew Hopewell, AICP, CZA
Immediate Past President
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Julie Chop, CZA, CTM
VP of External Affairs
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Kerry Wagenhauser, AICP
Emerging Planners Professionals Chair
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Anne Darby, AICP
VP of Sponsorship
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Meg Rupkey, CZO
Communications Director
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Caitlin Aubut, AICP
Professional Development Officer
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Brad Shelton, AICP
VP of Sections
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Kearra Bright
VP Inclusion
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Alan Simpson, AICP
CPAP Chair
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Will Cockrell, AICP
Planning Officials Development Officer
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Fayula Gordon
Social Media Coordinator
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Joe Liang
Student Representative (UVA)
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Spencer Magill
Student Representative (VCU)
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CONFERENCE CHAIR
Justin D. Sanders, AICP, CZA CTM
VP of Chapter Affairs