Michigan Association of Planning Elects New Board Members

The members of the Michigan Association of Planning have elected two new board members -- David Esparza, AIA, chair of the Detroit board of Zoning Appeals and Rex LaMore director for the Center for Community and Economic Development at Michigan State University -- and reelected Cynthia Winland, AICP, PCP, owner of Crescent Consulting in Midland.

The board elected new officers for the fiscal year. Troy’s Director of Economic and Community Development Mark Miller, AICP, PCP, was elected president of the organization. Winland was elected vice president and Sharlan Douglas, APR, a planning commissioner in the city of Royal Oak, was elected secretary-treasurer.

The board also appointed, for the first time, a college student who will serve as an ad hoc board member: Cal Coplai, a junior at Michigan State seeking an urban and regional planning degree.

“We realize that the future of planning as a profession rests in the hands of today’s students,” said President Miller. “Cal will be our link to the ideas and priorities coming from others in Michigan’s accredited collegiate planning programs.”

Continuing on the board are Eric Dueweke of the University of Michigan, Jeff Hagan of the Eastern U.P. Regional Planning & Development Commission, Paul Montagno of Pittsfield Township and Steve Schnell with Cheboygan County. Charlotte Burkhardt from Oakland County Community and Economic Development is the past president and Jim Schafer of the City of Madison Heights is the non-voting professional development officer.

With 4,000 members, the Michigan Association of Planning exists so that Michigan will consist of healthy, safe, attractive, and successful communities built first and foremost on quality community planning.  The Ann Arbor-based organization is a chapter of the American Planning Association.

Source: Michigan Association of Planning