Please list all organization memberships and positions held.
Please list any relevant work and volunteer experience.
Planning Director, SFMTA City of San Francisco 2022 - present Principal Planner, San Francisco Planning Department, lead manager of the Housing Element Update 2022 2017 - 2022
Senior Urban Designer and Architect, San Francisco Planning Department, lead design review 2013 - 2016 Registered Architect 2006 - present
Why are you interested in serving on this Board, Commission or Committee? Public service and helping Emeryville be a fair, affordable, safe, and amazing place to live, work, and visit.
PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS ONLY
Please provide a short (300 words or less) statement discussing your ideas and attitudes about planning in Emeryville. Please consider issues such as traffic, industrial and commercial development density, affordable housing, maintaining community diversity and jobs/housing balance.
Emeryville is small and mighty! While big regional cities struggle to keep families by maintaining good schools, affordable housing, great parks, and mobility without a car, Emeryville has been building the right paths, quietly putting together an amazing city that fosters belonging.
First and most importantly, Emeryville leads the way in housing by being the only city in the region that meets its State mandated housing goals which means it will protect the diversity of people and families at all income levels. This commitment makes sure that community stability, especially for our communities of color historically disenfranchised or harmed through development, is centered as the city grows and evolves. Our land has tremendous value—not just in wealth, but in health, prosperity, and meaning—and it is only fair that we all get to benefit.
Next, Emeryville is one of the best places in the region to move around with miles of new protected biking and rolling facilities, free and affordable frequent and reliable transit, and dense, walkable, neighborhood fabric that support healthy open space for everyone. The bikeway, built piece by piece, is a great example as it is a beautiful natural part of everyday lives—for getting groceries, kids to school or the park, exercise, to work—but also bumping into neighbors and being in nature.
And finally, while Emeryville is known for its big stores, it also has vibrant small businesses, from restaurants and shops to light industrial uses that make this small geography rich with different kinds of jobs, even expanding life sciences, a likely area of future expansion.
I would be honored to help steward these efforts over the coming years, encouraging the best design and community benefits in new development as well as being practical about how the City process works. * indicates required fields.
3 Columbia University, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation, New York
Master of Architecture, 1999
American Institute of Architects Henry J. Adams Medal
William H. Kinne Fellowship Award
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Traveling Fellowship, Columbia University GSAPP Nominee Fred L. Liebmann Award, New York Society of Architects
University of California, Berkeley, College of Environmental Design Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with Highest Honors, 1994 Professional Promise Award
Thesis Selected for Permanent Collection, University of California Library San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency 2022 - present Planning Director
Senior manager of SFMTA Planning Subdivision which consists of approximately 30 staff and managers completing a portfolio of medium and long-range transportation planning efforts centered on climate justice. Five project types include: encouraging low-carbon modes, transforming foundational mobility policy, serving local needs in community-led plans, ensuring future mobility systems, and supporting mobility now. Projects include:
Transportation Element Update
Historic Impacts Analysis
Biking & Rolling Plan
Waterfront Resilience Planning
Environmental Review
Development and Transportation Integration
Regional Coordination
Environmental Justice Framework
Mission Community-led Transportation Plan
Bayview Community-based Transportation Plan Implementation Travel Choice Incentives
Safe Routes to School Program
Bicycle Education Program
San Francisco Planning Department 2013 - 2022
Principal Planner, Manager of Policies & Strategies
Community Equity Division, 2020 - 2022
Key strategic leader in goals, content, staffing, and long-range planning centering the Department on racial and social equity. The role involves working with the Planning Director, heads of many departments and agencies, Planning and Historic Preservation Commissions, the Mayor’s office, Board of Supervisors, as well as state leaders and processes. It includes relationship-building with local stakeholders including communitybased or neighborhood organizations as well as the development, architectural, and construction industries. Team has flexed from 5 - 10 staff matrixed with staff from other Divisions and Agencies. Manages staff responsible for:
Housing Element Update 2022, the City’s first centered on racial and social equity. Includes the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing requirements, Sites Inventory, Constraints Report, Rezoning Program, Needs Assessment, Environmental Impact Report project
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Professional Experience
Education
4 description. Approved unanimously by the SF Board of Supervisors, signed by Mayor Breed, accepted by the State of California, January 2023.
Recovery Strategies, Planning’s interagency efforts in response to Covid-19 and economic recession, centered on racial and social equity. Numerous Commission presentations and projects 2020 - 2021.
Tenderloin Plan, community-led strategies in a neighborhood with extreme conditions for those unhoused, Plan completion anticipated end of 2022.
Neighborhood Life, tools and methods to support the delivery of proximal services for communities, prioritizing those with reduced health, wealth, and educational outcomes.
Housing Choice, proposed legislation to expand unit density in single-family neighborhoods designed to increase housing opportunities for workforce families, provide resources for wealth building for Black and American Indian households, and reduce impacts to those at risk of displacement. Passed Commission 2021.
Housing Chapter of SF’s Climate Action Plan 2021, recognizing the carbon reduction benefits of housing people in San Francisco, Completed 2021.
Principal Planner, Manager of Urban Design Program
Citywide & Current Planning Divisions 2017 - 2019
Functioning as the chief urban designer, I led the design staff work program across divisions including development agreements, public realm design, design review of current projects, design guidelines, and design and implementation aspects of area plans, and long-range policy. Team has flexed from 6 to 17 staff. Manager of the following teams and efforts:
Urban Design Advisory Team, Internal to Planning
Streetscape Design Advisory Team, with SF Public Works, SF Municipal Transportation Agency, SF Public Utilities Commission, SF Fire Department Residential Design Advisory Team, Internal to Planning
South of Downtown Activation Streetscape Improvement Plan, Transbay Streetscape, draft plan 2020
Balboa Reservoir Development Agreement, urban design manager and proposal panelist, approved 2020
Market and Octavia Plan Amendments, Lead Urban Designer, partially-adopted 2020 Potrero Power Station Development Agreement, urban design manager and lead reviewer, approved 2019
Japantown Special Area Design Guidelines, with Japantown Taskforce, adopted 2019 Calle 24 Special Area Design Guidelines, with Calle 24 Cultural District leadership, adopted 2019
Retained Elements Special Topic Design Guidelines, adopted 2019 San Francisco Urban Design Guidelines, manager and co-author, adopted 2018.
Design Review Procedures streamlining and overhaul, 2017-2019 Central SoMa Area Plan, Manager of Implementation Phase and lead Urban Designer, approved 2018. American Planning Association, Northern California Chapter, Award of Excellence 2019
Design review leads of note: Transbay Parcel F, Park, and Avery Towers, 655 4th Street, 636 4th Street, 555 Howard Street, 598 Brannan, 725 Harrison, 555 Howard, 49 South Van Ness, 30 Otis, 10 South Van Ness, the Flowermart, 88 Bluxome, 3700 California Street, 98 Franklin, Mission Rock, 1 Oak, 30 Van Ness
Senior Urban Designer and Architect, Planner III
Citywide & Current Planning Divisions 2013 - 2016
Lead urban designer on long-range planning efforts, housing, and development agreements. Central SoMa Key Sites, public realm improvements, public benefits, and land dedications for affordable housing. One of two staff architects overseeing and performing design review for Department. Worked directly with project applicants, sponsors, and teams including land use attorneys and architects on supporting housing and office development.
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5 Thurlow Small Architecture, Rhode Island
Co-founder and Managing Partner, 2001 - 2013
A consultant for local planning departments, including the City of Providence and City of Pawtucket on numerous local efforts supporting economic revitalization, mobility, and communities of color. Worked with state agencies, including RI DOT and DEM, and local governments to find transportation funding to support community needs and goals. Developed extensive outreach programs to engage residents and communities in understanding current dynamics and burdens. Responsible for business development, project delivery, client management, and team building for architecture and urban design practice.
Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor Visitor Center and Bikeway Study, RI Pawtucket Healthy Places by Design Zoning Project, RI
Nanjing Heritage Park, Qinglianshan, PR of China Competition, first place, 2012 City of East Providence Auto Row Master Plan, RI
City of Pawtucket Comprehensive Plan Maps, RI
Bridge Park, I-95 Bridge development, Pawtucket RI
Pawtucket Downtown Design Plan, Transportation planning, RI American Institute of Architects, Rhode Island Chapter, Merit Award 2011 American Society of Landscape Architects, Rhode Island Chapter, Honor Award 2011 American Planning Association, Rhode Island Chapter, Award for Outstanding Comprehensive Planning 2011
Growsmart Rhode Island Award in the category of Outstanding Smart Growth Policies/ Plans 2012
Yinzhou Central Park, Ningbo, PR of China
Competition, first place, 2008, currently under construction American Society of Landscape Architects, Rhode Island Chapter, Honor Award 2010 KeepSpace Urban Study, Central Falls RI
Providence Downtown Business District Map
RIPTA Metro Transit Study Media, RI
BayCity Waterfront Study, City of Providence RI
Westminster Street Environment, Providence RI
Fields Point Master Plan, Providence & Rhode Island School of Design, RI Pawtucket Train Station & CVS Study, RI
Pawtucket Plan to Plan District Study, RI
Brown University Pizzitola Entry, and Exterior Masonry Assistance New Aquatic Center, Providence RI
Bryant University Wellness Center Renovations, Smithfield RI Working Planet Interior & Building Renovation, Providence RI Panelite Office & Showroom, New York NY
National AIDS Memorial, San Francisco CA
Competition, finalist, 2005
Bernard Tschumi Architects, New York, NY
Urban and Architectural Designer, 1999 - 2000
Parc Downsview Park, project manager of Invited Competition Finalist, Toronto, Canada Congress Centre, Invited Competition, Lyon, France
World Intellectual Property Organization Headquarters, Invited Competition Finalist, Geneva, Switzerland
Mark Cavagnero Associates, San Francisco, CA
Architectural Designer, 1994 - 1996
Legion of Honor Museum Renovation & Addition, San Francisco, CA Rafael Film Center, Addition & Renovation, San Rafael, CA
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6 San Francisco Civic Center Courthouse, CA
DeYoung Museum Master Plan, San Francisco, CA
Registered Architect
State of California, 2018 - present
State of Rhode Island, 2006 - 2019
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2010 - 2014
State of Tennessee, 2006 - 2007
National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certification, 2006 - 2021
Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation, New York
Advisory Council, 2012 - 2017
Pawtucket Citizens Development Corporation, non-profit housing developer Board Member, 2007 - 2013
Pawtucket Foundation
Board Member, 2010 - 2012
American Institute of Architects, Rhode Island Chapter
Board Member, 2010 - 2011
City of Pawtucket, Riverfront Commission
Commission Member, 2006 - 2012; Interim Chair 2012
Casita Coalition, ADU Best Practices, panelist, August 27, 2021 American Institute of Architects, San Francisco Chapter (AIA SF), New Ideas, New Designs: Intersections of Urbanism and Home, panelist, June 24, 2021 San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR), Downtown on a Precipice: Imagining the San Francisco of Tomorrow, panelist, April 21, 2021
SPUR, Designing for Big Projects, panelist, August 25, 2020 SPUR, Examining the Post-Retail City, panelist, June 3, 2020 AIA SF, Public Space in the Time of Covid-19, panelist, May 14, 2020 SPUR, Incorporating Inclusivity into Design, panelist, March 21 and July 13, 2019 AIA SF, Next Conference, housing panel participation, San Francisco Chapter, May 31, 2018
Harvard Club, Transbay panel moderated by John King, San Francisco, November 6, 2017
AIA SF, Design Week, Hub panel, San Francisco, June 12, 2017 SPUR, Central SoMa and Design panelist, San Francisco, May 10, 2016.
SPUR, Transbay, panelist, August 8, 2015.
AIA SF, Equity by Design, panelist, October 18, 2014.
AIA SF, Good Design Challenge, design participant, September 16, 2014.
Rotch Travelling Fellowship, juror, 2011.
AIA Emerging New York Architects, New York Chapter South Street Competition panelist and juror, 2008.
Praxis Journal, BayCity Project Planlessness, October 2008.
AIA Virginia Chapter, awards juror, 2007.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Emergent Memory: National AIDS Memorial Competition, exhibition and book, Neal Schwartz ed., April 2005.
DaimlerChrysler Design Navigator, Thurlow Small Print Houses, May 2004.
Metropolis Magazine, Karen E. Steen, Metro Profile: Print Preview, Thurlow Small Atelier, February 2004, pg. 58.
PREFAB book: Adaptable, Modular, Dismountable, Light, Mobile Architecture.
Alejandro Bahamón, Manufactured Housing, 2002, pp. 76 - 77.
Selected Panels, Publications,
and Exhibitions
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Professional Registrations
& Service
7 Arch+, Wohnmobile, December 2001, No. 158, pp. 84 - 87.
Architectural Design, Sulan Kolatan + William Mac Donald. Excursus Chimera? June 2000, pp. 70 - 77. (Kol/Mac Team)
Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, National Design Triennial: Design Culture Now, Housings, 1999, exhibition and book, pp. 44 - 45. (Kol/Mac Team) Museum of Modern Art, The Un-Private House, Millbrook Residence, New York, 1999, exhibition and book, pp. 40 - 43. (Archi-tectonics Team) Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Architecture, Lecturer, 2010 Rhode Island School of Design, Architecture, Studio Critic 2006, 2007, 2008 Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, Studio Critic 2005 Northeastern University, School of Architecture, Lecturer 2005 University of Tennessee, College of Architecture + Design, Assistant Professor 2000, 2001 - 2004
John Rahaim, former Director
City of San Francisco, Planning Department
Gil Kelley, former Director
City of Vancouver Planning, Urban Design, and Sustainability Department Anne Taupier, Development Director
City of San Francisco, Office of Workforce and Economic Development Barney Heath, Director
City of Newton, Massachusetts Planning and Development
References
References from community
organizations and local development
community also available.
Contact information upon request
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Teaching Experience