Happy Spring, Northern members!
By Elizabeth “Libby” Tyler, FAICP, Director, May 4, 2025
This has been a super busy time for APA California – Northern, with lots of events and event planning underway. I enjoyed seeing many of you in Denver for the always fun and educational National Planning Conference. If you couldn’t go, hopefully you were able to attend on-line or to use your Passport subscription to attend bookmarked sessions.
As I write this, we are drawing close to the May 15th California Northern Awards Gala where we will salute a wide of variety of distinguished individuals and groups who set a high bar in their planning practice. Congratulations to all participants! And a special shout-out to Awards Co-Directors Carlina Rose and Danae Hall, AICP, as well as our Events Co-Directors Channing Bickford, AICP and Logan Woodruff, AICP.
A highlight of my Spring was Northern’s International Program trip to Baja, Mexico. This was the first trip since COVID-19, and I am so happy that this remarkable program is once again on the move. Under the terrific leadership of Hing Wong, FAICP and Alex Hinds (along with our superb translators Juan Borelli, AICP and Eloisa Mendoza Hinds, and terrific Travel Agent Lezly Ponce), an intrepid group of nine traveled from Loreto to La Paz to Cabo, meeting with local community and environmental groups, artists, and residents along with the way. You’ll find out more and see some amazing photos in upcoming issues of Northern News.
Planning for the APA California Chapter Conference, Waves of Change – Reconnecting Communities, scheduled for September 28 to October 1, 2025, in Monterey, is well underway with the highly capable leadership of our Co-Chairs: Michael P. Cass; Florentina Craciun, AICP; and Afshan Hamid, AICP. I am looking forward to seeing you all there.
The Northern Board continues to grow and evolve, offering our members opportunities for engagement and service. I would like to congratulate two members who are taking on new Board duties: Martin Reyes, AICP, who is our new Professional Development Director, and Sam Sargent, AICP, who is our new Ethics Director. We still have some critical roles to fill, including Diversity Co-Director, Mid-Career Program Co-Director, and Regional Activity Coordinators for San Francisco and Monterey Bay. Please contact Director-Elect Jeff Bond, AICP, at director-elect@norcalapa.org if you are interested in any of these or other opportunities to help the Board.
On a final note, the Chapter recently released the results of a member survey. The results were clear – our members are looking for more value from all levels of the organization and are especially hungry for additional professional development and legislative help from the Chapter and from Northern. Please stay tuned for additional offerings in this area, as well new resources for AICP credential study and Planning Commissioner training.
Please feel free to reach out to me at any time if you have any suggestions or would like to help on one of our programs.
With many thanks to our incredible membership!
Elizbeth “Libby” Tyler, FAICP, Director
director@norcalapa.org