Merle Bishop, FAICP
FAICP Statement
Merle Bishop's 28 years of vision and progressive planning solutions, from the first comprehensive plan to traditional neighborhood design, have crated a legacy of quality planning for Florida's fourth largest county. Merle's challenges include protecting a vast state watershed, controlling huge phosphate mines, and creating sustainable communities for growth. Inducted in 2003.
Professional Biography
Merle H. Bishop, FAICP With over 48 years of experience, Merle retired as Winter Haven's Growth Management Director in April 2019 and currently works part-time with Pennoni Associates, Inc. His experience includes 5.5 years with Kimley-Horn & Associates and 32 years with Polk County, Florida where he was the County's Growth Management Director. Merle is a Life Member of APA and a member of AICP since 1986. In 2003 he was inducted into the AICP College of Fellows. He served as APA FL President from 2011 to 2013. He served on numerous regional and statewide committees on growth and development. He is currently on APA Florida's Legislative Policy, Sustainability and Emerging Topics Committees. Merle is a Certified Public Manager and has a Bachelors Degree in Forestry and Masters in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida.