Committees

Committees

Committees represent the on-going activities of the St. Louis Metro Section.  Each committee is chaired by a member of the Board, but participation on the committees is open to anyone.  If you see something below that you would like to be involved with, please contact the committee chair (see email addresses below).

To join a committee, fill out this Google Form.

Annual Workshop Committee

Co-Chairs: James Fister and Danny Jendusa

The Annual Workshop Committee plans a half-day "mini conference" each year. In 2023, the annual workshop was held in December, but in years prior, we held spring workshops. The Committee organizes keynote speakers and topics, secures a venue, and plans an informal social event for workshop attendees.

Awards Committee

Co-Chairs: Shilpi Bharti and Ryan Auer

The Awards Program Committee develops and implements an awards program every year to recognize exceptional planners, projects, places, planning efforts, and planning advocates from the St. Louis region. The Committee shall review the criteria for the awards annually and update them as needed.

Communications Committee: 

Co-Chairs: Mary Kennedy & Gretchen Arnold

The Communications Committee manages and updates the Section’s website, bi-weekly newsletter, promotes Section events on social media, and works to improve internal board communications.

Diversity and Inclusion Committee:

Co-Chairs: Shilpi Bharti & Jonathan Raiche

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee engages diverse communities in the St Louis Metro Area on planning topics including the importance of diversity and inclusion in planning. The Committee strives to increase the Section members’ awareness of the need for diversity and inclusion in the planning profession and in the Section’s membership. 

Education and Credentialing Committee

Co-Chairs: Mike Albin & Scott Hanson

The Education and Credentials Committee enhances the formal educational opportunities in the St Louis region related to the planning field and hosts career and mentorship events. In addition, the Education and Credentialing Committee takes a leadership role on AICP-related issues: acknowledging the merits of the AICP credential, helping planners prepare for the AICP exam, and nominating credentialed planners to the AICP College of Fellows.

Nominating Committee

Co-Chairs: Hobie Kropp and Joe Iliff

The Nominating Committee works with the APA Missouri Chapter to organize nominations to the APA St. Louis Metro Section Board, encourage members to apply to be on the board, and works to increase general membership in the organization.

Professional Development Committee

Co-Chairs: Christie Voelker & Erin LoRusso

The Professional Development Committee helps to ensure excellence in local decision-making by offering training, information, and support to planning commissioners, elected officials, and engaged citizens. The Committee develops and implements programs such as conferences, workshops, tours, and luncheons, to increase the understanding of planning by Section members and other interested parties.

Public Advocacy Committee

Co-Chairs: Rachel Witt & Shaun Tooley

The Public Advocacy Committee serves the Section Board and membership by increasing their awareness of legislation, governmental positions, and court cases related to planning.  The Committee monitors legislation, governmental positions, and court cases related to planning, and in particular as related to the Section’s new areas of emphasis: Diversity and Inclusion; Need for greater cohesion among jurisdictions in the St. Louis area to achieve regional economic growth; and Sustainability in development and reduction of greenhouse gases.