Curriculum Vitae
My primary research interests are in Community and Economic Development. While the field itself is broad, my area of interest focuses explicitly on the intersection of urban planning, urban & rural sociology, public health, crime prevention, anthropology, and environmental justice, especially in neighborhoods and depopulating communities.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Urban Planning
Bachelor of Science, Sociology
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
• Summa Cum Laude
• Upsilon Rho Beta, Honor Society for Urban Planning
• Research – Shifting Demographics/Impacts on neighborhoods of Lima, Ohio
Masters of Professional Studies, Community Development
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
• Research - Life and Death of Cairo Illinois, a social autopsy and case study
Professional History
Community Development Administrator
City of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne IN
• Engage neighborhoods to prepare and implement plans, projects and programs
• Champions outreach/engagement for plans and implements goals and strategies
• Regularly facilitates meetings and participates in neighborhood building activities
• Responds and resolves citizen and organization concerns and questions
City Planner & Public Art Manager
City of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne IN
• Support department long-range planning efforts
• Project Management for neighborhood planning implementation
• Draft neighborhood plans and facilitate neighborhood planning projects
• Serve as the staff manager for the Public Art Commission
Executive Director
Main Street Van Wert Inc., Van Wert OH
• Orchestrate economic development strategies for 25 block downtown district
• Write and administrate grants and Certified Local Government designation
• Create and manage the budget for the non-profit and fiscal agency
• Directed the listing of the district on the National Register of Historic Places
Honors & Awards
Summa Cum Laude, Arizona State University
• Fall 2019
Dean’s List, Arizona State University
• Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall, 2019
Fort Wayne Forty under Forty, Fort Wayne Business Weekly
• March 2015
Edison Research Thirty under Thirty, Edison Research
• November 2011
Manager of the Year, Maverick Media
• December 2008
Volunteer Leadership
Board of Directors WBOI - Northeast Indiana Public Radio
• June 2020 - Present
Board of Directors Congress For The New Urbanism Midwest
• March 2017 - Present
Advisory Board & Leadership Team Heritage Ohio
• June 2016 – May 2017
Board of Directors Van Wert Community Health & Collaborative
• June 2016 – May 2017
Leadership Team & Project Manager Van Wert County Leadership
• June 2016 – May 2017
Plans, Presentations & Conferences
Building Safer and Healthier Communities Project for Public Spaces
• June 2024
Historic Northeast 2035 City of Fort Wayne
• May 2024
Not Your Grandparent’s Suburb Metropolitan Fair Housing Summit
• April 2024
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design INSPIRE Neighborhoods Conference
• September 2023
Packard 2030 City of Fort Wayne
• May 2023
The ABCD’s of Neighborhoods Metropolitan Fair Housing Summit
• April 2023
Gentrification, Why The Discussion Is Incorrect Metropolitan Fair Housing Summit
• April 2022
The Legacy of Fort Wayne’s Redlining Metropolitan Fair Housing Summit
• October 2021
Downtown Van Wert Parking Study Van Wert Forward
• August 2021
A Dialogue on Rural America and Shrinking Town Planning Congress For The New Urbanism
• March 2021
Legacy Cities: On The Park Bench Congress For The New Urbanism
• December 2020
Community Revitalization American Institute of Architects
• October 2020
Receiver Cities – Adapting for Climate Migration Congress For The New Urbanism
• June 2020
Art For All - Public Art Master Plan City of Fort Wayne
• January 2020
Hacking FEMA Congress For The New Urbanism
• June 2019
The Public Realm and Main Street Heritage Ohio Conference
• June 2019
The Other Urban America, Miami University
• April 2019
Fort Wayne Public Realm Action Plan City of Fort Wayne
• January 2019
The Forgotten America Congress For The New Urbanism
• December 2018
Van Wert County Economic Marketing Leadership Van Wert
• June 2018
Downtown Van Wert Economic Opportunities City of Van Wert
• December 2017
Certified Local Government City of Van Wert
• December 2017
Neighborhood Placemaking Projects Knight Foundation Cities Challenge
• January 2017
Greater North Anthony Plan City of Fort Wayne & Hoch Associates
• August 2016
Clifton Strengths Finder
IDEATOR
• Ideators are fascinated by ideas and what makes everything possible
MAXIMIZER
• Excellence, not average is my measurement. I strive for superb in everything I do
STRATEGIC
• Sorting through the clutter to find the best route is a necessity
FUTURISTIC
• Understanding what could work and lead with vision
INPUT
• Always inquisitive and searching for answers