VITA
THE BASICS
turning data into information
into shared knowledge
into collective wisdom
into positive actions
into shared knowledge
into collective wisdom
into positive actions
Over the past 15 years my experiences have varied, from being an undergraduate, to a junior logistics officer in the US Army, to a graduate and student researching community planning and organizing, urban theory, and data-driven action research to a practicing planner. One thing that has remained constant, however, is my steadfast belief in connectivity between people and institutions to share understanding and knowledge in an effort to produce better, reasoned, and more equitable outcomes.
Through my interdisciplinary education and project management background, I have both the framework and practical capabilities to be part of and develop spaces that foster the production of human capital, are steeped in continuous improvement endeavors, and produce timely and high-quality results.
A PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
updated September 2024
updated September 2024
I am presently a mobilized Army Reservist, serving as the Executive Officer (Chief-of-Staff) for Forward Detachment 1, 96 Sustainment Brigade, a 75-Soldier organization that provides comprehensive sustainment support to across Southeast Asia in support of special operations against threats to protect the Homeland and US interests abroad. In this role I manage staff processes and provide doctrinally aligned and situational specific guidance to the organization's commander; in October 2023 I was activated to establish and stand up this ad hoc element in preparation for a non-standard combat deployment.
In a non-military capacity, I identify as a community researcher, planner, climber, dog- lover, plaid-wearer, and hammocking enthusiast. I am a strong proponent of moderation in moderation, slogging through myriad projects on a recently-purchased 100-year old house in south Minneapolis, and have a pretty rad wife and son.
I bulk of my professional experience (2016 - 2022) has been spent working as a researcher and analyst in academic settings; across both the Universities of Cincinnati and Washington I engaged in work that centered on demographic and community change as a response to the emergence of economic and social engagement in previously (and historically) disengaged areas.
In 2022 I sought opportunities in the private planning sector to better understand and engage with the planning profession's realpolitik and have found this level of work to be supremely fulfilling.
As a planner and GIS Specialist at GSBS Architects, I sought to apply a people-centric, data-driven and analytical perspective to transportation and land use projects across Utah's Wasatch Front for public clients and worked with private clients to further their property development goals in Idaho.
I remain keenly interested in neighborhood-scale development patterns, public policy, and understanding the productions of place through participatory mapping and long-range demographic shifts.
--
Upon completing an undergraduate program at Syracuse University in 2011, I was commissioned into the US Army, where I was a Logistics officer. In 2015, I departed the active-duty Army to pursue other endeavors, earning a professional certificate in Geospatial Information Systems, followed by a Master of Arts in Community Planning, both from the University of Washington-Tacoma, in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
As a graduate student, I worked as a researcher and program manager on two community-oriented projects, the South Sound Alliance (SSA) and Action Mapping Project (AMP). Both projects were in their infancy at the time of my onboarding, so work involved developing publicly available, data-driven participatory research and analysis, as well as procedures and systems.
As a graduate student, I worked as a researcher and program manager on two community-oriented projects, the South Sound Alliance (SSA) and Action Mapping Project (AMP). Both projects were in their infancy at the time of my onboarding, so work involved developing publicly available, data-driven participatory research and analysis, as well as procedures and systems.
Despite promising to never leave the Pacific Northwest, I moved to Ohio in 2018 to pursue a doctorate in Regional Development Planning at the University of Cincinnati.
Sometimes some parts of life get in the way of other parts of life and I opted to withdraw from the program after 4 years of coursework and research centered on the on the implications of shifting demographics on Cincinnati's re-emergence as a Midwestern social and economic hub. Despite not completing this PhD program, I gained significant experience and the work completed there continues to influence how I work. The micro-scale socio-spatial dynamics and the role of institutional power in historically disenfranchised communities will remain forever interesting.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Geohistoricity | Geodemography | Neighborhood Demographic Change | Patterns of Development | Boundaries and Borders | Networks of Jurisdictions (Centrality, Betweenness, Community)
Community Organizing | Participatory Mapping | Production of Place | Geographic Information Systems
Community Organizing | Participatory Mapping | Production of Place | Geographic Information Systems
born in nazareth PENN
lives in minneapolis MINN
misses tacoma WASH
lives in minneapolis MINN
misses tacoma WASH
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES
/ OCTOBER 2022- PRESENT (on military orders since October 2023)
// Planner II & GIS Specialist | GSBS Architects | Salt Lake, UT|
/// As a member of a 5-person team, my primary responsibilities were to produce geospatial and cartographic visualizations for public and private client use and community consumption, as well as apply professional planning norms to develop context-based recommendations that align with client objectives and goals and analyze public land use law, policy documents, and previous planning endeavors to inform and scaffold future efforts.
/// Projects I was part of include the Sandy City General Plan, Lehi North Station Area Plan, Murray North Station Area Plan, and private client rural land development.
// Planner II & GIS Specialist | GSBS Architects | Salt Lake, UT|
/// As a member of a 5-person team, my primary responsibilities were to produce geospatial and cartographic visualizations for public and private client use and community consumption, as well as apply professional planning norms to develop context-based recommendations that align with client objectives and goals and analyze public land use law, policy documents, and previous planning endeavors to inform and scaffold future efforts.
/// Projects I was part of include the Sandy City General Plan, Lehi North Station Area Plan, Murray North Station Area Plan, and private client rural land development.
/ AUGUST 2018- JULY 2022
// Doctoral Researcher under Chris Auffrey, PhD Professor of Planning | University of Cincinnati |
/// Prime research project was titled Impacting Urban Futures: Demographic Realities and Prospects for Cincinnati's Continued Revitalization and is funded by the Carol Ann & Ralph V Haille / US Bank Foundation.
/// This 2-year research project sought to study and understand the ongoing economic and development trends in Cincinnati, the impacts of policy decisions, and the how these forces change the demographic landscape of the city.
// Doctoral Researcher under Chris Auffrey, PhD Professor of Planning | University of Cincinnati |
/// Prime research project was titled Impacting Urban Futures: Demographic Realities and Prospects for Cincinnati's Continued Revitalization and is funded by the Carol Ann & Ralph V Haille / US Bank Foundation.
/// This 2-year research project sought to study and understand the ongoing economic and development trends in Cincinnati, the impacts of policy decisions, and the how these forces change the demographic landscape of the city.
// Assistant (to the) Editor(s) | April 2019 - April 2020 | University of Cincinnati |
/// Provided copy-editing, organizing, standardization assistance to Danilo Palazzo and Vikas Mehta’s Compendium to Public Space (Routledge, forthcoming), a 41-chapter, 55 author monograph concerned with the physical, social, and cultural manifestations of public space in a global context.
/// Provided copy-editing, organizing, standardization assistance to Danilo Palazzo and Vikas Mehta’s Compendium to Public Space (Routledge, forthcoming), a 41-chapter, 55 author monograph concerned with the physical, social, and cultural manifestations of public space in a global context.
// Copy Editor | December 2019 - August 2020 | University of Cincinnati |
/// Provided basic research and copy-editing support to Chris Auffrey and Vikas Mehta, editors of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Wayfinding & Signage for the Winter 2020 edition (Vol 4, Issue 1), Summer 2020 edition (Vol 4, Issue 2), and Winter 2021 edition (Vol 5, Issue 1).
/// Provided basic research and copy-editing support to Chris Auffrey and Vikas Mehta, editors of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Wayfinding & Signage for the Winter 2020 edition (Vol 4, Issue 1), Summer 2020 edition (Vol 4, Issue 2), and Winter 2021 edition (Vol 5, Issue 1).
// Adjunct Lecturer | University of Cincinnati | School of Planning
/// Fall 2020, Fall 2021 | PLAN 2004: Social Structure & Change | Course provides an introduction to urban sociology for 38 first-year undergraduate Students, largely from the School of Planning. This course was designed to highlight how socio-economic and institutional forces influence a place’s development and how (if?) this has changed over the course of the 20th century. Syllabus was entirely re-developed to account for a more urban orientation, as well as 16-weeks of virtual instruction.
/// Fall 2020, Fall 2021 | PLAN 2004: Social Structure & Change | Course provides an introduction to urban sociology for 38 first-year undergraduate Students, largely from the School of Planning. This course was designed to highlight how socio-economic and institutional forces influence a place’s development and how (if?) this has changed over the course of the 20th century. Syllabus was entirely re-developed to account for a more urban orientation, as well as 16-weeks of virtual instruction.
/// Summer 2020, Summer 2021 | PLAN 4063: Planning Theory & Ethics | Develop course materials and student assessments and provide primary instruction for a senior-year undergraduate level course in the School of Planning’s Bachelor of Urban Planning Program. The course, attended by 24 Students, provides an overview of planning theory literature focused the need for planning theory(ies), the history and importance of normative and procedural planning theories, and the ways in which planners can be more effective, inclusive, and advocative in their work. This course was taught in a virtual environment, the result of COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
// Teaching Assistant | University of Cincinnati | School of Planning
/// Spring 2020 | PLAN 7002: Structure and Dynamics of Human Settlements | Responsible for general teaching assistance to Dr. Rainier vom Hofe in a first-year graduate-level course in the School of Planning’s Master of Community Planning program. The course was attended by 23 students and is designed to introduce students to the theoretical foundations necessary for understanding urban and regional economic growth and development patterns. The course relied heavily upon spatial modeling and techniques that explore social, political, economic, and physical shaping factors.
/// Spring 2020 | PLAN 7002: Structure and Dynamics of Human Settlements | Responsible for general teaching assistance to Dr. Rainier vom Hofe in a first-year graduate-level course in the School of Planning’s Master of Community Planning program. The course was attended by 23 students and is designed to introduce students to the theoretical foundations necessary for understanding urban and regional economic growth and development patterns. The course relied heavily upon spatial modeling and techniques that explore social, political, economic, and physical shaping factors.
/// Fall 2019 | PLAN 7001: Cities and Planning | Responsible for general teaching assistance to Dr. Chris Auffrey in a first-year graduate-level course in the School of Planning’s Master of Community Planning program. The course was attended by 16 students and is intended to provide a theoretical and practical overview of the planning field’s modern practices; the audience is primarily international students and those without a planning background. Provided administrative support and coordinated group trips to community organizations and the City’s planning department.
/ JUNE 2016 - DECEMBER 2018
// Graduate Research Assistant for Ali Modarres, PhD, Director of Urban Studies | March 2017 - December 2018 | University of Washington Tacoma as part of the South Sound Alliance (SSA) |
/// Primary responsibility was to collect, analyze, and visualize US Census-based socioeconomic and quality of life data for 9 municipalities and 2 counties in the South Puget Sound area. This was accomplished by utilizing ESRI's ArcMap and Microsoft's Power BI softwares to produce maps, graphics, and reports for the numerous economic development boards, organization administrators, and elected officials who are participants in the SSA.
/// Advise and assist incoming successor in the redevelopment and re-imagination of the data portal; provide process and meta-data documentation in order to ensure a successful and organized transition.
// Graduate Research Assistant for Ali Modarres, PhD, Director of Urban Studies | March 2017 - December 2018 | University of Washington Tacoma as part of the South Sound Alliance (SSA) |
/// Primary responsibility was to collect, analyze, and visualize US Census-based socioeconomic and quality of life data for 9 municipalities and 2 counties in the South Puget Sound area. This was accomplished by utilizing ESRI's ArcMap and Microsoft's Power BI softwares to produce maps, graphics, and reports for the numerous economic development boards, organization administrators, and elected officials who are participants in the SSA.
/// Advise and assist incoming successor in the redevelopment and re-imagination of the data portal; provide process and meta-data documentation in order to ensure a successful and organized transition.
// Graduate Research Assistant for Matt Kelley, PhD, Associate Professor | December 2016 - June 2018 | University of Washington Tacoma as part of the Action Mapping Project (AMP)
/// Served as the inaugural Project Manager for the Action Mapping Project, a youth-based community mapping program which established GIS Centers in local high schools and deploys Community Mappers, HS students trained to conduct outreach meetings, run surveys, and operate geospatial software, to produce an annual set of maps and data regarding space and pathway utilization within a school's catchment area. Designed programming and developed systems for data management and project tracking, as well as creating informational presentations and booklets for funders, school administrators, teachers, and involved students.
/// Previous project involved working with 120 fourth and fifth grade students from Birney Elementary School (Tacoma WA) in their understanding of place and how they interact with the built school environment. This includes surveying students, creating individual mental / sketch maps, and then collecting, digitizing, and analyzing their work to identify particular architectural characteristics within their school that should be improved or retained for future buildings. This work was done in conjunction with McGranahan Architects.
/// Served as the inaugural Project Manager for the Action Mapping Project, a youth-based community mapping program which established GIS Centers in local high schools and deploys Community Mappers, HS students trained to conduct outreach meetings, run surveys, and operate geospatial software, to produce an annual set of maps and data regarding space and pathway utilization within a school's catchment area. Designed programming and developed systems for data management and project tracking, as well as creating informational presentations and booklets for funders, school administrators, teachers, and involved students.
/// Previous project involved working with 120 fourth and fifth grade students from Birney Elementary School (Tacoma WA) in their understanding of place and how they interact with the built school environment. This includes surveying students, creating individual mental / sketch maps, and then collecting, digitizing, and analyzing their work to identify particular architectural characteristics within their school that should be improved or retained for future buildings. This work was done in conjunction with McGranahan Architects.
// Teaching Assistant | Summer 2016 | University of Washington Tacoma |
/// Responsible for providing general teaching support and in-depth GIS knowledge to 28 students in UWT’s entry level GIS course, TGIS 311: Maps and GIS.
/// Responsible for providing general teaching support and in-depth GIS knowledge to 28 students in UWT’s entry level GIS course, TGIS 311: Maps and GIS.
/ FEBRUARY 2016 - APRIL 2016 /
// Geospatial Technician (Intern) | Cascadia Subduction Zone Exercise |
/// The Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake and subsequent tsunami is the most complex disaster scenario facing the Pacific Northwest. Culminating in a 4-day exercise in June, Cascadia Rising was a rehearsal event to train and test the public-private coordination and integration efforts that will be necessary to conduct efficient and effective disaster response. A critical component in this effort is ensuring officials have the most accurate and updated spatial information about the affected areas to make decisions. As a Geospatial Intern, I was part of the Washington National Guard team collecting, analyzing, and providing that data to officials.
// Geospatial Technician (Intern) | Cascadia Subduction Zone Exercise |
/// The Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) earthquake and subsequent tsunami is the most complex disaster scenario facing the Pacific Northwest. Culminating in a 4-day exercise in June, Cascadia Rising was a rehearsal event to train and test the public-private coordination and integration efforts that will be necessary to conduct efficient and effective disaster response. A critical component in this effort is ensuring officials have the most accurate and updated spatial information about the affected areas to make decisions. As a Geospatial Intern, I was part of the Washington National Guard team collecting, analyzing, and providing that data to officials.
/ 2011 - present /
// US Army Officer | Active Duty (4 years), Army Reserve (10 years)
/// Over the course of my service, I held a variety of progressively complex leadership and planning positions based upon my operations, logistics, and personnel management abilities. I left active duty in 2015 and in early 2016 I decided to return to the military and continued my service to this nation as an Army Reservist. I have commanded, led, trained, and developed teams of up to 85 personnel and am presently the chief-of-staff for a 73-person, multi-functional logistics support organization spread across SE Asia
// US Army Officer | Active Duty (4 years), Army Reserve (10 years)
/// Over the course of my service, I held a variety of progressively complex leadership and planning positions based upon my operations, logistics, and personnel management abilities. I left active duty in 2015 and in early 2016 I decided to return to the military and continued my service to this nation as an Army Reservist. I have commanded, led, trained, and developed teams of up to 85 personnel and am presently the chief-of-staff for a 73-person, multi-functional logistics support organization spread across SE Asia
EDUCATION
/ 2018 - 2022
// Doctorate of Philosophy (abd)
// Regional Development Planning
// University of Cincinnati
// Doctorate of Philosophy (abd)
// Regional Development Planning
// University of Cincinnati
/ 2016 - 2018 /
// Master of Arts
// Community Planning
// University of Washington-Tacoma
// Master of Arts
// Community Planning
// University of Washington-Tacoma
/ 2015 - 2016 /
// Professional Certificate
// Geospatial Information Systems
// University of Washington-Tacoma
// Professional Certificate
// Geospatial Information Systems
// University of Washington-Tacoma
/ 2008 - 2011 /
// Bachelor of Arts
// Modern American History; Geography
// Syracuse University
/// Senior Theses: The Forgotten War: Korea; Syracuse NY Through the Lens of Economic Geography
// Bachelor of Arts
// Modern American History; Geography
// Syracuse University
/// Senior Theses: The Forgotten War: Korea; Syracuse NY Through the Lens of Economic Geography
/ 2003 - 2007 /
// High School Diploma
// Nazareth Area High School
// High School Diploma
// Nazareth Area High School
COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS
/ 2019 /
// Research presentation at People’s Liberty | 52 Cincinnatis: detailing the transformation of our neighborhoods | Cincinnati OH
/ 2017 /
// Conversations Re: Tacoma, 10 x 10 Series | Public Values in the Public Realm: Futuring the Pacific Avenue Corridor | Tacoma WA
// Community Placemaking Sessions, UW & Tacoma Livable City Year Projects | Neighborhood Placemaking and Engagement Process at 56th || Pacific Economic Vitality at 56th and Pacific || 56th and Pacific Placemaking | Tacoma WA
// Research presentation at People’s Liberty | 52 Cincinnatis: detailing the transformation of our neighborhoods | Cincinnati OH
/ 2017 /
// Conversations Re: Tacoma, 10 x 10 Series | Public Values in the Public Realm: Futuring the Pacific Avenue Corridor | Tacoma WA
// Community Placemaking Sessions, UW & Tacoma Livable City Year Projects | Neighborhood Placemaking and Engagement Process at 56th || Pacific Economic Vitality at 56th and Pacific || 56th and Pacific Placemaking | Tacoma WA
CONFERENCE PANELS, PRESENTATIONS, AND POSTERS
/ 2020
// P+ARG Biennial Conference, utopia vs. the city | Neighborhood Triage in Cincinnati OH: how metrics of “success” in a shrunken city inform regenerative potentials | Poster | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
// David J Allor Planning and Zoning Workshop: Cincinnati on the Rise | Cincinnati Neighborhoods on the Rise: You May Be Surprised | Panel Moderator & Presenter | Cincinnati OH
/ 2018 /
// Washington Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Annual Conference | Youth Voice in the Public Realm: the action mapping project | Individual Research Presentation | Olympia WA
// Washington Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Annual Conference | Promoting GIS in K-12 Education | Moderated Panel Participant | Olympia WA
/ 2016 /
// University of Washington Tacoma Urban Studies Department Colloquium Annual Workshop and Poster Session | The Complete Streets Revolution: Evaluating Bikeability and Exploring Access in Tacoma Washington | Poster | Tacoma WA
// Washington Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Annual Conference | The Complete Streets Revolution: Evaluating Bikeability and Exploring Access in Tacoma Washington | Individual Research Presentation | Tacoma WA
/ 2010 /
// Syracuse University Showcase | The Expansion of National Parks and Federal Lands 1872-2009 | Poster | Syracuse NY
// P+ARG Biennial Conference, utopia vs. the city | Neighborhood Triage in Cincinnati OH: how metrics of “success” in a shrunken city inform regenerative potentials | Poster | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI
// David J Allor Planning and Zoning Workshop: Cincinnati on the Rise | Cincinnati Neighborhoods on the Rise: You May Be Surprised | Panel Moderator & Presenter | Cincinnati OH
/ 2018 /
// Washington Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Annual Conference | Youth Voice in the Public Realm: the action mapping project | Individual Research Presentation | Olympia WA
// Washington Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Annual Conference | Promoting GIS in K-12 Education | Moderated Panel Participant | Olympia WA
/ 2016 /
// University of Washington Tacoma Urban Studies Department Colloquium Annual Workshop and Poster Session | The Complete Streets Revolution: Evaluating Bikeability and Exploring Access in Tacoma Washington | Poster | Tacoma WA
// Washington Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Annual Conference | The Complete Streets Revolution: Evaluating Bikeability and Exploring Access in Tacoma Washington | Individual Research Presentation | Tacoma WA
/ 2010 /
// Syracuse University Showcase | The Expansion of National Parks and Federal Lands 1872-2009 | Poster | Syracuse NY
AWARDS
/ 2020
// Conference Travel | University of Cincinnati | Graduate Student Government | $200
// Conference Travel | University of Cincinnati | School of Planning | $250
// Ladislas and Vilma Segoe Scholarship | University of Cincinnati | School of Planning | $1000
/ 2018 /
// Graduate Assistantship | University of Cincinnati | School of Planning | Neighborhood Choice Program | $30000
// Graduate Scholarship | University of Cincinnati | School of Planning | Full Funding for PhD program | $30000
/ 2016 /
// Director's Award for Outstanding Research or Project | University of Washington, Tacoma- Urban Studies Department
// Conference Travel | University of Cincinnati | Graduate Student Government | $200
// Conference Travel | University of Cincinnati | School of Planning | $250
// Ladislas and Vilma Segoe Scholarship | University of Cincinnati | School of Planning | $1000
/ 2018 /
// Graduate Assistantship | University of Cincinnati | School of Planning | Neighborhood Choice Program | $30000
// Graduate Scholarship | University of Cincinnati | School of Planning | Full Funding for PhD program | $30000
/ 2016 /
// Director's Award for Outstanding Research or Project | University of Washington, Tacoma- Urban Studies Department