Chapter Presidents Council Executive Committee Biographies

Julia Lave Johnston is the director of education services for the California Association of Councils of Government (CALCOG), where she manages the California Academy for Regional Leadership (CARL) and develops and assists in creating education and training opportunities for CALCOG's 48 member agencies. Previous positions focused on integrating health and sustainability at the local and regional level and providing cutting-edge education for professionals as the director of the Land Use and Natural Resources program at UC Davis Extension. She developed and implemented climate and planning policy for the State of California as deputy director for planning policy in the Governor's Office under Governor Schwarzenegger. Julia has volunteered with APA for over 30 years including vice chair of the Chapter Presidents Council, president of the California Chapter, and director of the Sacramento Valley Section. Julia received a bachelor's degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master's degree in community and regional planning from the University of Oregon.

Laura Everitt, Esq., AICP, LEED Green Associate is a senior project manager on the Transit Team for Benesch. Based in Tampa, Florida, Laura assists transit agencies across the Southeast and Midwest with their long-term planning activities. Laura served as APA Florida president from 2018-2020. During her tenure, she appointed the organization's first equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) committee, which developed the organization's first EDI strategy. You can often find Laura wandering her neighborhood with her husband Steve and dog Bourbon when not working.

Aaron Ray, AICP, is the senior manager of aviation long-range planning for the Port of Portland, managing long-range planning for three airports in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area including Portland International Airport. His background includes extensive current and long-range land use and transportation planning work in communities across Oregon. Aaron holds a bachelor's degree from Portland State University in community development, and a Master of City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He was the president of the APA Oregon Chapter from 2020 through 2023 and currently serves on the APA governance committee.

PeggySue Imihy, AICP is the special projects and initiatives manager for the City of Hopkins, Minnesota, and is the current president of APA Minnesota. PeggySue served on the chapter’s board for six years in a variety of positions and is passionate about bringing diverse voices and perspectives into the planning profession. PeggySue has a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota.

Tippe Morlan currently works as the senior/long-range planner for the City of Saratoga Springs, Utah. She volunteers as the APA Utah Chapter president and the director of membership for APA’s Asian & Pacific Islander Interest Group. With a background in community development, sociology, and resort town planning, she is passionate about the crossover between tourism and planning. She earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy, management, and planning from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in sociology from Brigham Young University, and a specialized MBA in tourism administration from George Washington University. She has worked for Park City, Lehi City, and Eagle Mountain City, Utah, in the past. When Tippe is not working, she can usually be found exploring cities around the world.

Tim Gladhill is the community development director for the City of Stillwater, Minnesota, focusing on economic development policy but also providing support for long-range planning, building safety inspections, and code enforcement/neighborhood health. Previously, Tim spent approximately 20 years with the City of Ramsey, Minnesota, starting as a public works maintenance worker and moving up to deputy city administrator/community development director. He has served nearly a decade on the APA Minnesota board including two terms as chapter president.