My wife, Lynn and I purchased our home on Woodward Avenue in Wauwatosa's 8th District in 2000, after enjoying renting for several years in East Tosa.
I have worked for many years to improve the sense of community in Wauwatosa. I was the founder and past president of the Park Ridge Neighborhood Association. I was also a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Hartung Park Community Association. In this role, I worked with both Wauwatosa and Milwaukee city governments and neighbors to establish a community park and playground on the site of the former Hartung Quarry.
Creating a safe and vibrant community for my family has always been a priority. As Alderperson of a district bordering the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County’s Menomonee River Parkway, I have worked across various government levels to ensure the 8th District can leverage all available resources for park and open space improvements, bike/pedestrian connectivity, and emergency services.
I have been a member of the Wauwatosa Common Council since 2009, gaining experience on each standing committee: Financial Affairs, Government Affairs, Community Affairs (Current Chair), and Transportation Affairs (Former Chair). My initiatives include the Active Tosa Plan, Wauwatosa Bike and Pedestrian Plan, Tosa Streets policy, Safe Routes to School, city code updates, Chicken and Bee Keeping ordinances, bike share, maintaining essential services like Fire/EMS and Police, promoting the Mayfair Collection economic development to ease residential taxpayer burdens, and recently supported safeguarding neighborhoods with height restrictions in C-2 Zoning areas near residential properties. I currently serve as Council liaison on the Parks and Forestry Board, and have served on the Plan Commission, Bike/Ped Committee, Village Streetscape Renovation Committee. I played a key role in initiating Milwaukee County's Menomonee River Parkway Renewal Project, incorporating an off-street trail connecting the 8th District to the rest of the community. The construction of the Capitol Drive pedestrian underpass at Grantosa Drive and the proposed separated crossing of Hwy. 100 and Menomonee River Parkway Oak Leaf Trail will further improve community connectivity and safety.
As a Professional Landscape Architect, I am presently employed at Milwaukee Recreation as Design & Development Manager, overseeing playgrounds and playfield renovations throughout City of Milwaukee prioritized by an Equity Plan. Previous work experience includes Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use, Zimmerman Design Group, and Hawk's Nursery. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am a member of Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association and American Society of Landscape Architects. Notable honors I am proud of include the ASLA Community Service Award, Sierra Club's Torchbearer Award, and elevation to the American Society of Landscape Architects Council of Fellows for leadership and service to the community.
Over the years, my family and I have enjoyed volunteering in the schools, athletic organizations, Park Ridge Neighborhood Association and Hartung Park Community Association, as well as participated in weed outs along the Menomonee River Parkway.
I have worked for many years to improve the sense of community in Wauwatosa. I was the founder and past president of the Park Ridge Neighborhood Association. I was also a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Hartung Park Community Association. In this role, I worked with both Wauwatosa and Milwaukee city governments and neighbors to establish a community park and playground on the site of the former Hartung Quarry.
Creating a safe and vibrant community for my family has always been a priority. As Alderperson of a district bordering the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County’s Menomonee River Parkway, I have worked across various government levels to ensure the 8th District can leverage all available resources for park and open space improvements, bike/pedestrian connectivity, and emergency services.
I have been a member of the Wauwatosa Common Council since 2009, gaining experience on each standing committee: Financial Affairs, Government Affairs, Community Affairs (Current Chair), and Transportation Affairs (Former Chair). My initiatives include the Active Tosa Plan, Wauwatosa Bike and Pedestrian Plan, Tosa Streets policy, Safe Routes to School, city code updates, Chicken and Bee Keeping ordinances, bike share, maintaining essential services like Fire/EMS and Police, promoting the Mayfair Collection economic development to ease residential taxpayer burdens, and recently supported safeguarding neighborhoods with height restrictions in C-2 Zoning areas near residential properties. I currently serve as Council liaison on the Parks and Forestry Board, and have served on the Plan Commission, Bike/Ped Committee, Village Streetscape Renovation Committee. I played a key role in initiating Milwaukee County's Menomonee River Parkway Renewal Project, incorporating an off-street trail connecting the 8th District to the rest of the community. The construction of the Capitol Drive pedestrian underpass at Grantosa Drive and the proposed separated crossing of Hwy. 100 and Menomonee River Parkway Oak Leaf Trail will further improve community connectivity and safety.
As a Professional Landscape Architect, I am presently employed at Milwaukee Recreation as Design & Development Manager, overseeing playgrounds and playfield renovations throughout City of Milwaukee prioritized by an Equity Plan. Previous work experience includes Waukesha County Department of Parks and Land Use, Zimmerman Design Group, and Hawk's Nursery. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am a member of Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association and American Society of Landscape Architects. Notable honors I am proud of include the ASLA Community Service Award, Sierra Club's Torchbearer Award, and elevation to the American Society of Landscape Architects Council of Fellows for leadership and service to the community.
Over the years, my family and I have enjoyed volunteering in the schools, athletic organizations, Park Ridge Neighborhood Association and Hartung Park Community Association, as well as participated in weed outs along the Menomonee River Parkway.
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Wisconsin
B.S. Landscape Architecture
Senior Thesis, Master Plan for Donald Park
Dane County Parks, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
School of Architecture and Urban Planning
Coursework in AutoCAD
and Wisconsin Architecture 1840-1945
University of Miami, Florida
School of Architecture
Congress for the New Urbanism– Accreditation
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Wisconsin
B.S. Landscape Architecture
Senior Thesis, Master Plan for Donald Park
Dane County Parks, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
School of Architecture and Urban Planning
Coursework in AutoCAD
and Wisconsin Architecture 1840-1945
University of Miami, Florida
School of Architecture
Congress for the New Urbanism– Accreditation
HONORS and AWARDS
Council of Fellows, American Society of Landscape Architects, 2019
Award of Excellence, Wisconsin Chapter ASLA, Waukesha County Fox River Park Nature Play Area, 2019
MKE Mayor’s Award, Spaces and Places– Hartung Park, 2017
Green Luminary Award, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District, Hartung Park Green Infrastructure, 2017
Torchbearer Award, Sierra Club John Muir Chapter, 2017
Design Award of Excellence, Wisconsin Park and Recreation Waukesha County Restroom Buildings Project, 2015
Design Award of Excellence, Wisconsin Park and Recreation Waukesha County Campus Courtyard, 2013
Merit Award, Wisconsin Chapter ASLA Waukesha County Campus Courtyard, 2013
Design Bronze Award, Wisconsin Masonry Alliance, Waukesha County Courthouse Courtyard, 2013
Chapter Service Recognition American Society of Landscape Architects Wisconsin Chapter, 2010
Community Service Award American Society of Landscape Architects Wisconsin Chapter, 2009
Council of Fellows, American Society of Landscape Architects, 2019
Award of Excellence, Wisconsin Chapter ASLA, Waukesha County Fox River Park Nature Play Area, 2019
MKE Mayor’s Award, Spaces and Places– Hartung Park, 2017
Green Luminary Award, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewer District, Hartung Park Green Infrastructure, 2017
Torchbearer Award, Sierra Club John Muir Chapter, 2017
Design Award of Excellence, Wisconsin Park and Recreation Waukesha County Restroom Buildings Project, 2015
Design Award of Excellence, Wisconsin Park and Recreation Waukesha County Campus Courtyard, 2013
Merit Award, Wisconsin Chapter ASLA Waukesha County Campus Courtyard, 2013
Design Bronze Award, Wisconsin Masonry Alliance, Waukesha County Courthouse Courtyard, 2013
Chapter Service Recognition American Society of Landscape Architects Wisconsin Chapter, 2010
Community Service Award American Society of Landscape Architects Wisconsin Chapter, 2009
AFFILIATIONS
1997- Present Americana Society of Landscape Architects
2002- Present Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association
2004 - 2018 American Trails
2015– 2020 Congress for New Urbanism Wisconsin Chapter
1997- Present Americana Society of Landscape Architects
2002- Present Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association
2004 - 2018 American Trails
2015– 2020 Congress for New Urbanism Wisconsin Chapter
SELECTED PUBLIC SPEAKING
2020 Independence First Leadership Camp
2017 Wauwatosa 120th Anniversary, Fourth of July Concert Address
2016 Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association, Dog Exercise Area Development and Maintenance Panel
2016 Menomonee River Trail Dedication
2015 Nagawicka Lake Welfare Committee, Naga-Waukee Park Slope Restoration Presentation
2013 Wisconsin Park and Recreations Association, Award Presentation of Courtyard Project
2013 UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Avocation and Implementation Class
2012 Around the Corner with John McGivern
2010 Hartung Park Grand Opening
2020 Independence First Leadership Camp
2017 Wauwatosa 120th Anniversary, Fourth of July Concert Address
2016 Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association, Dog Exercise Area Development and Maintenance Panel
2016 Menomonee River Trail Dedication
2015 Nagawicka Lake Welfare Committee, Naga-Waukee Park Slope Restoration Presentation
2013 Wisconsin Park and Recreations Association, Award Presentation of Courtyard Project
2013 UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Bike and Pedestrian Facilities Avocation and Implementation Class
2012 Around the Corner with John McGivern
2010 Hartung Park Grand Opening
PUBLIC SERVICE / COMMITTEES
2019 - 2020 WI ASLA Advocacy Committee, Chair
2018 West High School Issues Fair, Juror
2015– 2018 Wauwatosa Village Streetscape Steering Committee
2013– 2015 City of Wauwatosa Plan Commission, Citizen Member
2012- Present City of Wauwatosa Parks and Forestry Commission, Council Liaison
2013 Menomonee River Parkway Renewal Project, Stakeholders Committee
2012– 2018 Wauwatosa Bike/Ped Plan Committee
2012 City of Waukesha Bike/Ped Plan Committee
2009 -2014 Madison Elementary School PTA, Beautification Chair
2009 - 2010 WI ASLA Executive Committee, Member at Large
2008 Wauwatosa Comprehensive Plan, Focus Group
2004 - 2010 Park Ridge Neighborhood Association, Founding President
2004 - 2013 Hartung Park Community Association, Member of Founding Board of Directors
2004-Present Menomonee River Parkway Weed-Outs
2019 - 2020 WI ASLA Advocacy Committee, Chair
2018 West High School Issues Fair, Juror
2015– 2018 Wauwatosa Village Streetscape Steering Committee
2013– 2015 City of Wauwatosa Plan Commission, Citizen Member
2012- Present City of Wauwatosa Parks and Forestry Commission, Council Liaison
2013 Menomonee River Parkway Renewal Project, Stakeholders Committee
2012– 2018 Wauwatosa Bike/Ped Plan Committee
2012 City of Waukesha Bike/Ped Plan Committee
2009 -2014 Madison Elementary School PTA, Beautification Chair
2009 - 2010 WI ASLA Executive Committee, Member at Large
2008 Wauwatosa Comprehensive Plan, Focus Group
2004 - 2010 Park Ridge Neighborhood Association, Founding President
2004 - 2013 Hartung Park Community Association, Member of Founding Board of Directors
2004-Present Menomonee River Parkway Weed-Outs