EMU Planning Program Alumni News

Alumni News Updates Eastern Michigan University Urban and Regional Planning Programs

Link to Alumni of Note

Jonathan Ringel in Indiana

All is well in Northeast, Indiana. I am closing in on 18 months as Planning Director for Steuben County. I have spent the majority of the time bringing the county up to 21st century regarding planning and zoning. My staff and I have successfully restored public faith in our office after a string of scandelous planning directors. We are nearing completion of a new zoning/subdivision control ordinance with LSL Planning Inc. We have spent a large amount of time working to increase environmental protection standards and design guidelines to boost the image of the community. In addition, we have streamlined the permitting process, initiated a countywide deparment head meetings, embarked on a county park improvement project, and worked to present a more visible and open door policy to the public. Code enforcement is another huge issue and we have worked extensively to rid the county of abandoned motor vehicles and environmental nuissances. We are coordinating with local townships to implement a countywide community pride and trash cleanup day this fall. this has been such an interesting experience, I am thinking of writing a book about my experiences here when I move on to my next job. Every day is another adventure and challenge!
Jonathan Ringel, Stueben County Plan Director

Lisa (Dunfee) Householder a Transportation Planner Lisa Householder (MS in Planning, 2007) is now a transportation planner with the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG). Previously, she has worked with the Wood County Auditor's Office and with Ducks Unlimited. TMACOG will benefit from her experience with various GIS packages, database analysis and SQL software.

Nathan Voght becomes DDA director

Nathan Voght is well known to those actively involved in downtown Howell. That's one of the reasons he was chosen from a pool of 40 candidates as the new director of the Howell downtown Development Authority. He will assume his new position at the end of February.

The 35-year old downtown business and property owner, former DDA design committee chairman and city resident is passionate about the revitalization of downtown Howell. Couple that commitment to the city with his background and knowledge of urban planning, and you have a "great fit," according to Charlotte Swann, DDA president. "Nathan is wonderful, and he is very well liked by the members of the DDA and by the downtown merchants," said Swann. She said that the fact that Voght and his wife, Lorna Brennan, own the Uptown Coffeehouse in the heart of downtown Howell at the corner of Michigan and Grand River avenues will only add to the excitement he brings to the job. Howell City Manager Shea Charles agrees. "(His coffeehouse) gives him a unique perspective to see things from both sides of the table."

Voght, who will earn $55,000-$61,000, calls the local DDA director's position his "dream job." He is already identifying top priorities including the promotion of the city attributes to businesses looking for places to move. "My biggest challenge in this economy is to continue to put Howell out there as the place to be. We need to show people we're a great place to live and a great place to do business," he said. The position will be fully funded by the DDA, and was created following the departure of Amy Connolly, who acted as Howell's community development director and DDA director; that position was split and funded equally between the DDA and city of Howell. Voght will leave his municipal planning job with the city of Ypsilanti to accept this new position.

Ken Bouchard in Texas

I have accepted a job and started working in Harker Heights, Texas and am still getting caught up. Harker Heights is a small, growing community that's located about 50 miles north of Austin, Texas. It's in a beautiful area with plenty of sun and water. You may want to let students know that planning and GIS opportunities are abundant in Texas. While researching the area, I came across several vacant positions.

Paula Hepp moves to Nashville

I have made a big move! I have relocated for Atwell-Hicks and am now living in Nashville, TN. Still helping developers through the planning and entitlement process. I was wondering if we have any EMU alumni in the area that I may be able to network with?

Tracy Mullins now AICP

Tracy Mullins has recently earned the AICP designation from the American Planning Association. Tracy is the Director of Planning and Design at MJA Consulting, a regional planning and urban design company in Lakeland, Florida that specializes in conservation development and green design. Tracy has been working with the Seminole Tribe of Florida on green conservation design to help save endangered flora and fauna in Florida’s Green Swamp Area of Critical Concern. Tracy plans to release a book on Traditional Indigenous Planning in the Fall of 2008.

Ken Bouchard does Dallas

Ken Bouchard made a special trip to Dallas to meet with EMU alum David Schleg, now Chief Planner with the Dallas Planning Department. David gave Ken a good introduction to the area and what is happening, and a little of that Texas hospitality.

Lee Shirey and Target Alpena

I have been working as the Chief Economic Development Officer for Target Alpena Economic Development Corporation. I have held my position for just under a year. Its been an interesting transition from the small geographic focus of downtown Sault Ste. Marie to a County-wide regional economic development organization. I just completed an economic strategic plan for Alpena County and I administer a multi-county revolving loan program. I have also been working on some entrepreneurial initiatives, rural agricultural programs, business retention training and of course recruiting!
Lee Shirey, Executive Director
Target Alpena Development Corporation

Chris Gruba at Bloomfield Twp.

I thoroughly enjoy working for Bloomfield Township as the Assistant Planner. We continue to stay busy, even into the winter. Despite the economic woes of the state, business has actually picked up here. We have had a tide of new commercial developments, including a very fashionable 2-story Target store, an L.A. Fitness, and the national headquarters for Smart Car. Residential development has nearly stopped, like everywhere else. I am sure to have my hands full this summer when the Dream Cruise and the 2008 PGA occur almost simultaneously. I'd like to get the word out that the PGA will be here in Bloomfield Township, and not Bloomfield Hills, which usually gets the credit in the newspapers. If I can get out of work, I would like to make it to the next APA or MAP conference or party at your house. I can honestly say that my time at EMU (and the Planning Program) has paid off.

Nick Guthrie update

For the past 6 months, I have been working as the Project Engineer for Colasanti Specialty Services on the FontaineBleau Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Colasanti oversees the placement of all concrete for the entire site. The casino is slatted to open in January 2009. It is located right next to the Riviera on The Strip. It is defiantly an experience working in Las Vegas, but if you like the heat this city is defiantly for you! I still remain interested in preservation and GIS issues throughout the country and I hope to start my Master's Degree soon. It is hard working in a city where the average life for a building is only 10 years! This past spring, I helped Mansion View, a Mansion in Toledo's Old West End, design and install a historically accurate landscape plan for their gardens. That was a lot of fun. There was so much history involved with that house, I had a blast!

Scott Barb and family

Things have been going well for our family and I wanted to share a bit of that news with everyone. We have twin boys (Tanner and Logan) who are 3 and 1/2 now. This past November 5th, my wife gave birth to our SECOND set of twins! Mallory and Preston were born happy and healthy and are very cooperative, given that mom and dad are still trying to catch their breath from chasing the first set of twins around.

I continue to work for Livingston County, Michigan as a Principal County Planner. The Department there has high regards for the EMU planning program. I do believe, however, my next stint as a planner may take a turn towards the private sector where the most up to date and innovative planning trends are usually utilized and implemented.

Ron Mercer in Afghanistan

Right now I am deployed at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan from November 5th to Jan 15th. Our mission here is Flying support for the Army. Attached are a few pictures of me next to the A-10C aircraft. Can't really say much more until I get home.
My mailing address is:
Ron Mercer
455 EAMXS/AMXS/A10
APO AE 09354

Oregon attracts Joel Klug

Well, I've accepted a planning position in Baker City, eastern Oregon's "metropolis"! Baker City (Pop. 10,000) is a vibrant historic town located 2 hours west of Boise, Idaho and 5 hours east of Portland, between the Elkhorn and Eagle Mountain ranges. Many pioneers settled here after a long and hard journey on the Oregon Trail. Some of the county's earliest settlers were fortunate enough to strike it rich in the gold mining industry in the late 1800s. Today, the people of Baker County are very proud of their rich history and have established the Oregon Trail Intereprative Center to honor the pioneering spirit of their forefathers.

I'm having a great time out here working on some really interesting projects. I'm really looking forward to working on updating the County's Comprehensive Plan within the next year. A few locals here think that Baker County is the next place in the west to face rapid population growth. That may or may not be the case, but I'm looking forward to being a part of the planning process to ensure that whatever happens out here, Baker County will be ready!

Lots of news from Julie Lowe

I had been meaning to write you to let you know about my new job as a Stormwater Planner here in Olympia, Washington. The email of the PLACE website reminded me! I hope all is well in Michigan and it isn't too cold! I am enjoying the more mild Washington winter at this time. My husband and I moved out here to Olympia in June 2007, and became employed within 3 weeks. I work for the Washington State Department of Ecology as a Stormwater Planner. I work in the Water Quality, Program Development Services Division and am loving my job. I am a permit writer for the Washington State Phase I Stormwater Permit that was issued in February 2007. I help administer and implement Phase I permittees with permit requirements. I work with a variety of groups, help with training and presentations, review ordinances, assist in creating guidance documents, and provide technical assistance with the bigger cities and counties (City of Seattle, City of Tacoma, Pierce County, Clark County, King County, Snohomish County and the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma). My planning duties come into play because some of our permit requirements require permittees to adopt new ordinances to improve stormwater quality and build low impact development stormwater best management practices. In particular, I work with helping them monitor these types of facilities. I recently visited Seattle's High Point development which I had read about previously in planning articles. A few of their BMPs are being monitored in our permits and they are using this development to encourage other LID building throughout the city. Another area in Seattle that is pretty well known is SEA Street, which is a sequence of swales and rain gardens that have been implemented in a subdivision. The site alone captures over 90% of the stormwater. They have a really cool website on it that students may be interested in viewing.

Anyway, I would like to pass the message to any recent grads looking for a job to send me an email if interested in working for the State. I can put in a good word! I have found this job has been great and pays really well too. My Planning background and previous monitoring experience has prepared me well for this position. I am grateful that I had such a wonderful educational experience at Eastern and work experience working as an environmental consultant that has brought me to where I am today. The hot jobs right now out here are stormwater engineers if you know of any, but this agency is especially open to students with planning backgrounds. The agency also hires Interns and most of the time you can get a job out of it.

Julie Lowe, Municipal Stormwater Planner
Water Quality Program, Department of Ecology, PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600, 360-407-6470 jlow461@ecy.wa.gov

Robyn Bennett at White House

We're living in the Washington, D.C. area. I'm a stay-at-home Mom to my daughter, Lola, 2-1/2 years old. My husband (Major USMC) is stationed at the White House and we've been here for 2-1/2 years, so next spring we will probably be on our way out. It's been a great experience; we've enjoyed every minute of it. I've attached a picture of us at the White House South Lawn this fall.

Josh Goldstein likes Pittsburgh

After I graduated from EMU in 2002, I went to work for Thompson Associates in Ann Arbor, doing site location research for retailers. In May of 2005 an opportunity in Virginia opened up and I went to work for Dollar Tree Stores as a real estate analyst at first helping them develop and implement a sales forecasting and customer modeling application, and then later, as a real estate manager. I realized that I enjoyed working with the real estate more than I liked analyzing it, and after realizing that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t adapt to life in the south (everyone’s first Jewish friend, churches everywhere, no winter, too slow a pace of life), I took a job working for a friends company in Pittsburgh. I have been up here for about 3 months, and I must say I am pleasantly impressed by Pittsburgh, it’s a great city that flies under most people’s radars, but has a lot to offer. Our company owns and develops shopping centers and other retail properties throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. I am responsible for the leasing of about 10 shopping centers in Western PA and West VA. It’s a fun job, and a little different than being on the retailer side of things. My goal eventually is to get into more development work (that’s where all the glory is). Interestingly, many real estate developers are employing people with planning backgrounds (although I would say more engineers than planners), to help with entitlements and permitting/zoning/planning challenges, so it’s nice to be able to use some of what I learned in school!

Chris Baldwin in sunny San Diego

I am still with The Omega Group, Inc., going on 5+ years. We are based in San Diego, CA and we have a satellite office in Philadelphia, PA. We specialize in integrated GIS solutions for Law Enforcement, Public Safety, and School Districts. We build our applications using ESRI technology. I should add that we do hire from time to time, and we are currently looking for a Support Technician and a GIS Software Developer. http://www.theomegagroup.com/company_employment.html. We are also constantly updating our website. So check us out from time to time...

I am living in Carlsbad, right up Highway 5 from San Diego, own a house and doing well. We are finally getting rain in Southern California, after a long drought. The mountains are packed with snow and it feels like winter around here at nighttime as the lows get into the mid 40s. Yes the daytimes are still in the 60's, that does not change much... The fires of October are a distant memory for me. For many others, there are constant reminders all around them. Charred hillsides and burned out buildings are easy to spot from the I15 in North County San Diego. The rain we have received is welcome, and it reminds me that next year there will be plenty of dry grass in the hills, offering itself as fuel for next's fire season...

Chris Baldwin, Western Division Sales Manager
The Omega Group
San Diego, CA
(858)450-2590, chris@theomegagroup.com

John Lazur in Pacific Northwest

Greetings from beautiful Oregon! The last few months I have been serving as the deputy planner for Myrtle Creek, OR, a small town of 3,600 in southwestern Oregon. Much of my job entails writing a comprehensive economic development plan, Grant writing, granting planning clearance for new developments, and producing/updating GIS maps. Relocating to the Pacific Northwest was a huge step for me and I haven’t regretted it since. Oregon is one of the most beautiful states in the nation and is renowned for its premier planners so I am learning from the best! One of the most exciting things about Oregon is that its citizens have a deep respect for the environment because it plays such a big role in the economy. I am eager to see what my first year of professional planning brings me and I will be sure to update you as things develop. Also, if you come across anyone that is interested in relocating to the Pacific Northwest, feel free to have them contact me.
John K Lazur, Deputy Planner
City of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, 207 NW Pleasant St., PO Box 940
Myrtle Creek, Oregon 97457
541-863-3171, jlazur@ci.myrtle-creek.or.us

Anne Vaara with Watershed Council I have taken a job as the Executive Director with the Clinton River Watershed Council. My office is in Rochester. I am staying active with the Michigan Association of Planning and will remain on the government relations committee. I also am very diligently working on my final paper.

Andre Stone in Washington State

I am the long range planner for Lewis County, Washington. I am applying to graduate programs in urban design throughout the United States for admission in the fall of 2008. One of the more exciting projects I have worked on recently is the creation of a system of nonmotorized paved trails connecting the different cities in Lewis County.
Address:
Andre Stone, Associate Planner, Lewis County Community Development
2025 NE Kresky Avenue, Chehalis, WA 98532
(360) 740-1490 agstone@co.lewis.wa.us

Jennifer (Black) Thum up where it's cold!

Well, things up here are really cold and we have a ton of snow! I do love it though and I have become an expert at snow plowing. :-) Scott (hubby) and I are doing wonderful he is still at Northern Michigan University working in the financial aid office. I found a new home (work)…. I am sure you are not surprised. :-) I was offered a job as Director of Planning and Community Development for Chocolay Township. We also live here, so my commute to work is now 2 miles! I need to take the AICP test next round to that will be an enjoyable challenge for me.

I quit my last job so I could have benefits and retirement. That is important, because I am expecting our first baby January 15, 2008!! I am so excited to be a mom and a bit nervous. We don’t know what we are having, but I am sure it will be a boy or a girl. : ) Still not sure on names, there are way too many choices. Hope all is well with you and EMU. I check the website periodically and continue to be impressed with the caliber of students and the amount of work they do. Have a wonderful Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Once we have pictures of Baby Thum, I will send them on.

Also, I need some help. Can you give me a recommendation on a good book to read all the pros and cons about PUD’s and about contract zoning? Thank you!

Jennifer B. Thum
Director of Planning and Community Development
Chocolay Township, Michigan
Phone: 906.249.1448; Email: planner@chocolay.org

A new politician

Recent Planning graduate Josh Eikenberry has announced he intends to run for the Michigan House of Representatives from Monroe County. As he says on his web site, "It's become increasingly apparent that the current political system is a bit... broken. With only two choices to choose from on a ballot, the political spectrum continues to get skewed towards keeping the status quo. This conservative mindset and narrow choices limit the amount of political freedom we have in this country come voting time." You can contact Josh at josheikenberry@gmail.com.

Justin Snyder is engaged

I just thought I would send a note that I am engaged to be married. Our wedding date is set for June 22, 2008, so we are both very excited to be sharing the rest of our lives with one another. My job is also going well. I am a Planner II for Columbia County in Evans, Georgia, where I am responsible for all aspects of current planning, including zoning, variances, subdivisions, housing, transportation, and providing support to the Planning Commission. I am looking forward to taking the AICP certification exam in the fall of 2008.
It sounds like the Urban and Regional Planning and GIS departments are flourishing, which is very exciting. We are beginning our search for a senior planner, so if anyone with 5-10 years of planning experience is interested, the pay is very good, and the work environment is laid back and fun. Check out our website at http://www.columbiacountyga.gov. It is a very good website.

Justin Snyder, Planner II
Columbia County Planning and Development
630 Ronald Reagan Drive
Evans, GA 30809

Eric Feldt from Juneau

Eric Feldt recently wrote from Juneau, Alaska, where he has his first job as a planner. Here is some of what he said:

The winter weather has dulled the coloration and severed the sensitive foliage upon the landscape in soggy Juneau. Many hours writing staff reports for use permits and variance permits has softly dimmed my perception of Municipal planning. Designing, creativity, cutting-edge thinking, etc. is not part of regulating development. My ability to guide thy neighbor through the building permit process has been sharpened and is always appreciated. Due to Juneau's unique ability to build on mountains, big housing or commercial developments are very rare. Sorry, no lifestyle malls up here, especially with the daily rains and wintry blusters. Most of the staff reports usually spread 4-6 pages in length. And lately the permits have been minuscule and passed with ease.

Jill (Murray) Morgan writes:

My husband John and I bought our first home in April of this year. We are in the Chicago neighborhood of Old Irving Park on the Northwest side of the city. We also have a new puppy named Simon. While John is a White Sox fan and was happy to see the Cubs lose in the playoffs, he is not happy with the way his Bears football team is playing this ;-)
In May, I graduated from the Master of Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP) program at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Jill with new husband John Morgan

New babies...

Michelle Cousineau Reardon (BS 2003) and Jim Reardon (MS 2004) have shared this photo of their new twins, known as "Crunch" and Munch," at MSU's Spartan stadium. (We wonder if they were taking them to the game?)

Graduate Planning student Andrea Bibby and husband Jay had a baby boy, Owen Robert, on September 13th. (It looks like Andrea is very proud.)

Kristine (Inman) Goddard writes from Alabama: Brad and I welcomed a baby girl into the world October 23. She is growing so fast.
I am still with Shelby County in Alabama and loving my job while still not fully adjusted to the south even after 5 years down here.

Megan Etue

Megan Etue (MS 2004) wrote to tell about one of her recent adventures overseas:
In April 2007 I was able to participate in a trade mission to Europe representing the City of Taylor, visiting Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and attending the International Airport Cities Conference in Frankfurt, Germany with local business and government leaders. "Aerotropolis," or airport city, is a cluster of development that links people, freight, transportation, business and entertainment. This concept can transform the regional economy and turn Metro Detroit into a global logistics hub. The Aerotropolis concept is one of six key strategies in the Road to Renaissance (R2R) initiative. Being part of this trip and project has certainly been a highlight in my professional career. (Megan shown with colleague Bryce Kelley.)

David Schleg now Chief Planner for Dallas

An email recently sent by David Schleg, who began his career in planning in the small Michigan town of Scottville:
I’ve just been promoted to Chief Planner with the City of Dallas. The promotion will expand my responsibilities to include more project oversight and supervising staff. It’s been a great 4 years here in Dallas so far and I’m pleased to have been part of a team which passed the first City Council-supported Comprehensive Plan. In my new role as Chief Planner, I will work directly with our Assistant Director of Long Range Planning to implement the various projects identified in the forwardDallas! Comprehensive Plan. The plan and our implementation effort is available on-line at www.forwarddallas.org.

I'll have staff under me and more autonomy concerning projects. I think it'll be a great fit for my skills and interests. It also gives me some comfort that I'll be staying in Dallas for some time to come. I didn't really want to look elsewhere for work in the near future; been there, done that!

Letter from David Harris

Hi Norm,
How are things at EMU. I look at the planning website as often as time allows. Just wanted to give you an update.
I got married in September 2005. I am currently working for the Department of Defense- Defense Intelligence Agency as a Intelligence Analyst. I just started in May 2007, I am in training right now and looking forward to my new job. I will be using GIS and Urban Planning together. The DoD has a variety of opportunities. I would suggest students look at this website. http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ and apply early because it can take some time getting a clearance.

David W. Harris II
Intelligence Analyst
MIO-2 (Transportation & Logistics)
Levant, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula
Mobility and Sustainability Division
Defense Intelligence Agency
Washington, DC
202-231-3656 (Work unclassified)

Julia McCleeary in Texas Graduate Planning student Julia McCleeary has already obtained a job as a planner with the transportation department in Fort Worth, Texas. Good luck down south, Julia.

Contact For information on the Urban and Regional Planning programs, contact Norm Tyler at ntyler@emich.edu or 734.487.8656. For the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs, contact Hugh Semple at hsemple@emich.edu.