Leadership/ APA Staff

APA Staff

Paul Farmer, FAICP Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Paul Farmer is Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of APA and AICP. He has primary responsibility for the long-term strategic direction of the association, in concert with elected leadership. He is responsible for representing the leadership of the association, its members and the interests of planning with partners and with the public.		Charlotte McCaskill Chief Operating Officer Charlotte McCaskill is Chief Operating Officer for APA and AICP. She is responsible for all administrative departments of the association. This includes Membership and Accounting, Marketing, Information Systems, and Office and Employee Services. She also serves as Assistant Secretary-Treasurer of the APA Board of Directors, representing the board primarily on financial related matters.
Deene Alongi Director of Meetings and Conferences The Director of Meetings and Conferences has overall responsibility for the APA National Planning Conference and the Fall Leadership conference. Additionally, the conference department is responsible for numerous other APA meetings held throughout the year.		Monica Groh Manager, Professional Development & AICP The Manager of Professional Development & AICP guides the programs of APA's professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, in the areas of governance, education, member services and outreach, publications, and certification. Specific programs include the Certification Maintenance program, AICP certification exam, AICP Symposium, Fellows of AICP, Planners Training Service workshops, and the Community Assistance Program.
Kenneth East Director of Marketing and Promotions The Director of Marketing leads a department that is responsible for the nurture and growth of APA goods and services. This includes APA's efforts to recruit and retain members and subscribers and to sell a variety of books, reports, and other products. The Director of Marketing also supervises the fulfillment operation of Planners Book Service and the sale of advertising in APA publications.		Arlis Withers Director of Finance and Customer Service The Membership Finance Director is responsible for membership and subscriber services including billings, payments, and customer service; accounting services, including budget; and meetings registrations, including the annual conference, audio conferences, and other workshops.
Sylvia Lewis Director of Publications and Website The Director of Publications is the Editor and Publisher of Planning magazine. She oversees the APA website as well as Planners Press.		Carolyn Torma Director of Education and Citizen Engagement The Director of Education develops and manages the organization's education programs for practicing planners, planning commissioners, and youth, as well as developing the program for the National Planning Conference.
Bill Klein, AICP Director of Research and Advisory Services The Director of Research manages research activities, including three subscription services: the Planning Advisory Service (PAS reports, the PAS Memo, and PAS inquiry answering), Planning & Environmental Law, and Zoning Practice. Research also includes work sponsored by foundations, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations. Research also helps with program development for the APA National Planning Conference and with the audioconference series.		Jason Jordan Director of Policy and Government Affairs The Policy Director is responsible for government affairs, public information and policy efforts of the association. This includes development of APA's policy guides and statements, communication with the media, outreach to allied organizations and the public to bring visibility to APA and the planning profession. He also manages relationships with Chapters and Divisions regarding their legislative and public relations programs at the state and regional levels.
Mike Welch Director of Leadership and Component Services The Leadership and Component Services Department promotes and develops leadership among APA's members and supports the work of the organization's elected leaders, including the APA Board of Directors, AICP Commission, Chapter Presidents Council, Divisions Council, and Student Representatives Council. The department also provides program development and administrative services to the individual components of APA, including chapters, divisions, and student organizations.		Jeff Soule, FAICP Director of Outreach and International Programs