Intersections

Members on the Move

Don Billen was named the executive director of the planning, environment, and project development department of Seattle's Sound Transit.

Cindy Joyner was named director of Fort Wayne, Indiana's community development division.

Daniel Haake, AICP, has joined architectural, engineering, and consulting firm HDR as senior transportation planner in their Indianapolis office.

Hillary Gitelman, the former planning director of Palo Alto, joined environmental planning, science, and design firm Environmental Science Associates in San Francisco.

Todd Kinskey, AICP, was made planning director of Dayton, Ohio.

Linda F. Tatum, FAICP, has been named the director of development services of Long Beach, California.

Melanie Wilson was made the executive director of Savannah's Metropolitan Planning Commission.

Erin Zwirko, AICP, is the new assistant director of Arlington, Massachusetts's department of planning and community development.

Kudos

Henry Louis Taylor, Jr., professor of urban and regional planning at the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning, received the Urban Affairs Association's 2018 Marilyn J. Gittell Activist Scholar Award.

Zoey Mauck, an Iowa State University senior in landscape architecture and community and regional planning, was named one of the country's 50 2018 Udall Scholars for leadership, public service, and commitment to issues related to the environment or Native American nations.

More Online

APA members are a busy bunch. For additional kudos, comings, and goings, see the APA News blog: www.planning.org/apanews.

NPC18 Lets the Good Times Roll

Opening keynote speaker Derreck Kayongo kicked NPC18 off with his wonderful story, a few laughs, and an inspiring call for planners to live their passion in their everyday lives. Photo by Riverview Photography.

Nearly 6,000 planners, students, and allied professionals converged on New Orleans this April for the National Planning Conference, planning's premier event. Attendees experienced four days of cutting-edge educational sessions and expanded networking opportunities, bookended by two inspirational keynote addresses, in one of the most unique cities in the U.S.

The conference opened with an address from Derreck Kayongo, founder of the Global Soap Project, who urged attendees to express their passion for planning in their everyday lives and to lift the voices of all members of their communities. PolicyLink founder and CEO Angela Glover Blackwell wrapped up NPC18 with a call for attention to equity, encouraging planners to seek "curb-cut solutions" where helping the most vulnerable benefits all of society. Full videos of both addresses are available at the APA blog and APA's YouTube page (youtube.com/user/AmericanPlanningAssn).

In between keynotes, 274 educational sessions on 12 topical tracks kept attendees busy. Overflow crowds spilled into breakout rooms for sessions on autonomous vehicles, equity and social justice, resiliency, and much more. The Exhibit Hall, featuring the APA Pavilion and Tech Zone, offered countless networking opportunities, product demonstrations, and presentations on cutting-edge planning technology.

APA would like to thank the NPC18 Planning Committee, session reviewers, speakers, exhibitors, APA staff, conference attendees, and everyone else who helped make this conference great. For a full recap of NPC18, check out the APA blog (www.planning.org/blog).

Community Builder

First-year APA member Nancy Simpson (left) and Ayoka Paek, AICP (right), take a moment to snap a selfie in front of an interactive message board at the APA Pavilion. Photo by Riverview Photography.

APA Student Representative Council Chair Rachael Panik-Thompson (left) presents an 2018 Outstanding Planning Student Organization award to student members of the American Planning Association of the University of New Mexico at the Wednesday Awards Luncheon. Photo by Riverview Photography.

APA members Mike Struve, AICP, and Dominique Norman and student member Stephania Alvarezcollaborate at an educational session on Saturday. Photo by Riverview Photography.

First-year member Amy K. Elmore of New Port Richey, Florida, presents her poster, "Joining Public Outreach 2.0," to fellow attendees at the Exhibit Hall on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Riverview Photography.

Hundreds of attendees channeled their collective creativity on a giant double-sided coloring wall depicting the NPC19 host city, San Francisco. Photo by Riverview Photography.

From left: Jeanette Dinwiddie Moore, FAICP, Janet Ruggiero, FAICP, and new inductee Linda Tatum, FAICP, celebrate at a reception honoring the American Institute of Certified Planners class of 2018 fellows. Photo by Riverview Photography.

APA New York Metro Chapter president Maxwell Sokol, AICP, and APA Private Practice Division chair Deana Rhodeside, AICP, exchange cards at one of NPC18's many networking opportunities. Photo by Riverview Photography.

Tools of the Trade

Looking to revisit NPC18? Couldn't make it down to New Orleans this year? We've got you covered either way. Here's a collection of links to blog posts, videos, and other items to get you started.

Opening Keynote: http://bit.ly/Kayongo

Podcasts: www.planning.org/multimedia/podcasts

We Ask, You Answer

This Month's Question

What factor most contributes to affordable housing challenges in your community?

Let Us Know

Last Month's Question

What are your infrastructure priorities?

Here's what you said:

Association News

Board of Directors Action Report

It's been a busy year at APA, and we're only halfway through 2018. At NPC18 in April, the APA Board of Directors took three major actions to advance the organization's mission and better serve members.

Additional board discussions centered on strategies for effective interaction and communication with chapters, divisions, and student organizations. For more information on the APA Board of Directors and APA's mission, priorities, and current initiatives, go to www.planning.org/aboutapa.

Disaster Recovery Grant Applications Due

Last month, the APA Foundation issued a request for proposals for disaster recovery funding. The effort to assist communities affected by the 2017 hurricanes and other disasters in their recovery began last year with a fundraising campaign that raised more than $53,000.

Planners from affected communities are encouraged to apply by June 18. For a more detailed explanation of eligibility, criteria, and other guidelines, go to www.planning.org/foundation/rfp.

This opportunity was made possible by the generous contributions of APA members across the country, which the Foundation matched, effectively doubling the funds available. Thank you to all who donated. Your investment will help economically challenged and disaster-devastated communities rebuild and recover.

If you would like to learn more about the APAF and its mission or make a donation, go to www.planning.org/foundation.

Dates to Remember

June

Registration for APA's Water and Policy Conferences opens this month.

8 The APA Northern New England Chapter hosts its 2018 Historic Preservation and Downtown Conference in Bristol, Vermont.

18 Submit APAF Disaster Recovery grant applications by today.

22 APA Hawaii Chapter 2018 Awards nominations are due.

25 Today is the last day to submit proposals for NPC19 in San Francisco.

30 APA Arizona Chapter members have one month to submit nominations for outstanding efforts in planning and planning leadership.

Intersections is compiled and edited by Planning editors. Got something you'd like to share? Send info and photographs to intersections@planning.org.