New Faces join Renaissance Planning Group

TAMPA

Morgan Ford recently joined Renaissance as an intern in the Tampa office.  Morgan just defended his master's thesis that analyzed and estimated the economic effect of streetcar lines in several American cities.  He will graduate in May with his Master's of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans.  Morgan previously interned with the Mayor of New Orleans' Office of Recovery and Development where he supported economic development and community investment efforts within the City.  Morgan's interests include Kentucky basketball, outdoor activities, and furniture restoration.

Amanda Douglas will join the Tampa office as a summer intern beginning on May 14th.  She is currently in the graduate program in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Florida with a concentration in Transportation Planning and Sustainable Design. She will return to Gainesville as a full time student after her summer internship and will earn her Master's degree in May 2013.  Previously, she served as a planning intern with the City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department and the City of St. Petersburg Planning and Economic Development Department.  Amanda enjoys outdoor activities including camping, four-wheeling and running.

ORLANDO

Stephen Mainser joined our Orlando office in mid-March as a planner.  Stephen is a designer, with a background in landscape architecture.  He holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and a Master of Science from Penn State University, where he developed geo-design methods for urban analysis and enjoyed student mentoring. Stephen's professional experience includes design and construction of a variety of urban living and recreation spaces. Stephen is originally from upstate New York, and is slowly adjusting to the brutal Florida winters. According to Stephen, when he isn't trying to save the world, he enjoys music, snap-shot photography, and cooking.

Natasha Kanji joined our Orlando office at the end of March as a staff accountant.  Natasha will be supporting Jessica in AP/AR functions and all things financial.  Natahsa has an undergraduate degree in business administration and about 10 years of experience working in a variety of industries supporting business, administrative and financial functions.

Cynthia Austin will join our BD/Proposal team as a production coordinator in mid-April to support Amanda on all things production, graphics and project administration related.  Cynthia is a creative professional with over 15 years of diversified experience and skills in graphic design, event planning, marketing, catering, and general business administration.  

CHARLOTTESVILLE

Andrew Walker recently joined Renaissance as an intern.  He is a graduate student in the urban & environmental planning program at UVA and is expected to complete his degree in May 2012.  He serves as a teaching assistant in the graduate GIS class and has advanced GIS skills.  His previous internships include working with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) and Dobbins International in Reston, VA.  Andrew started on April 2nd and will work with Renaissance through August of 2012 supporting a wide-range of project needs.

Michael Callahan will be joining Renaissance on May 21st as a transportation planner.  He will be based in Charlottesville, VA but oriented towards supporting Arlington and Florida-based offices.  Mike brings four years of experience working as a transportation planner for the Boston Regional MPO where he served as the deputy project manager for their recent LRTP update, managed the public outreach process and led the development of the 2010 Freight Study.  Mike has a master's in city & regional planning and an undergraduate degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.