Mayor Debbie Kling was sworn in as the 30th mayor of Nampa, Idaho, on January 2, 2018. Mayor Kling was re-elected to office for her second term, which began in 2022.

Mayor Kling has long believed in the value of collaboration and partnership with others to make the best decisions. Kling has prioritized Nampa being a safe and healthy community where people prosper.

Nationally, the City of Nampa has received several accolades, including:

Named the “Best Run City” by WalletHub for eight years in a row;

Ranked #1 Boomtown in America according to SmartAsset, where Nampa had the “second-highest growth in the number of businesses” (almost 30% from 2015-2020).

Mayor Kling was the President/CEO of the Nampa Chamber of Commerce, where she served from 2012 until taking office. Prior to joining the Nampa Chamber of Commerce, she served in a number of leadership positions and roles in both the corporate and volunteer non-profit sectors, nationally and locally. She was educated at MidAmerica Nazarene University and Boise State University.

Mayor Kling currently serves on both the Executive Board and Board of Directors for the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC Past Chair), Community Planning Association (COMPASS Current and Past Chair), and Valley Regional Transit (VRT Past Chair).

Born and raised in Olathe, Kansas, Debbie married Jim Kling III in 1975. Kling always shares, “If you marry someone from Idaho, you’re going to live in Idaho.” The Kling’s have enjoyed living in Idaho since 1991. Jim and Debbie are extremely blessed to have three grown children and spouses, ten grandchildren (two with spouses), and two great-grandchildren.

Elevating Transportation: Using Aerial Cable Cars as Transit

10/2 from 4:15-5:30 pm

Shareefa is an urban designer and planner who brings a creative, community-focused, and detail-oriented approach to problem-solving. She's passionate about the benefits of using aerial cable car systems for urban transit and has worked on several of those projects across the US and Canada. With a strong background in architecture and planning, she possesses a unique skillset for integrating transit systems into the urban fabric and identifying opportunities for connectivity and placemaking. Shareefa's project experience ranges from high-level comprehensive plans to district-scale urban design and form-based codes. She works with public agencies, stakeholder groups, and community members to establish the framework and procedures to deliver successful projects.

Designing for the Future: A Comparative Look at Two Campus Master Plans

10/2 from 10:00-11:30 am

Céline’s background in planning and landscape architecture was instrumental in managing the University of Idaho’s Long Range Campus Development Plan. After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in landscape architecture from the University of Idaho, she worked at Boise’s urban renewal agency, Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC), assisting with the design of downtown streetscapes. She spent over 8 years in the City of Boise’s planning and development services department gaining experience as an associate planner, planning manager, and ultimately interim planning director. She currently works as a project manager within the division of finance and administration focusing on campus planning, capital planning, and manages development projects.

Moo...and a lot of poo - CAFO Review Challenges

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

Elizabeth Allen is an Environmental Planner at HDR Engineering. She holds a Master of Science in Bioregional Planning and Community Design from the University of Idaho. She has worked as a planner in Idaho for over seven years and has experience working as a current and long range planner in the public and private sectors.

Designing for the Future: A Comparative Look at Two Campus Master Plans

10/2 from 10:00-11:30 am

Mark Andersen joined Idaho State University in November 2023 as the Associate Vice President for Facilities Services. With over 15 years of experience in facilities management, strategic planning, and campus development, Mark is committed to advancing the university's campus in alignment with the new Campus Master Plan.

Planning for Agriculture - Idaho Planners Leading Efforts to Protect and Enhance Agriculture

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

David Anderson found a love for the land while working with his grandpa on the family ranch as a kid. He remembers his grandma telling stories about the generations of family that scratched a ranch out of the Lemhi Valley. After college in Arizona, David spent 25 years as a hydrogeologist providing land and water stewardship services to energy, mining, and real estate development clients.

In 2019, American Farmland Trust, a national non-profit that works directly with farmers, ranchers, and stakeholders to create solutions to protect our valuable agricultural economy, was asked by Idaho agriculture families to bring support to the state in response to a rapid loss of working lands. David joined American Farmland Trust in 2021 as Idaho Program Manager and is based in Boise. He is the Board President of the Regenerative Agriculture Network of Idaho and a Board Supervisor for Ada Soil & Water Conservation District. He enjoys every minute outdoors and especially with family and friends.

Your ADU Is My Duplex - Treasure Valley Cities' Differences in Accessory Dwelling Units

10/2 from 1:45-2:45 pm

MOBILE TOUR

Planners as Brokers: Nampa’s Industrial Development Success

10/2 from 3:00-5:00 pm

MOBILE TOUR

The Ford Idaho Center

10/3 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Rodney is an AICP certified planner with a master’s degree from Boise State University in Public Administration. He has worked in transportation, long range, and current planning in Idaho for over 20 years in state, county, and local agencies. Rodney is currently the Planning & Zoning Director for the City of Nampa. He leads a team of award-winning planners and is passionate about helping Nampa residents, business owners, and developers understand planning principles and how they can engage in the planning process. He believes providing high quality and relevant information to decision makers helps them make decisions that benefit the community long-term. He lives in the City of Nampa where he and his wife Amy raised their four daughters and one son.

Economic Development, Community Revitalization, Infrastructure through Urban Renewal

10/1 from 2:00-3:00 pm

Shawn Barigar serves as the City Economic Development Director and Executive Director of the Urban Renewal Agency for the City of Twin Falls. Prior to his current position, he dedicated 18 years as the President and CEO of the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, where he focused on enhancing the region’s economic vitality and living standards in Southern Idaho. In addition, Shawn held public office for 14 years as an elected member of the Twin Falls City Council and served as Mayor from 2016 to 2020. Throughout his 30+ year professional career in the Twin Falls region, Shawn has actively worked to foster collaboration among local and state governments, economic development bodies, business leaders, and residents. Their collective efforts have concentrated on business expansion, attracting new industries, job creation, and community development. Among his achievements, Shawn was instrumental in establishing Chobani's major yogurt production facility and Clif Bar & Company's bakery in Twin Falls.

People Powered Flags

10/1 from 4:30-5:15 pm

Edinson Bautista is a Senior Transportation Planner at the Ada County Highway District (ACHD). Edinson works on long-range transportation plans, project identification, and concept studies, with a focus on accessibility, mobility, and project programming. He is passionate about transportation planning and design, with a strong interest in developing innovative, practical solutions that enhance mobility, improve safety, and support sustainable, community-focused infrastructure.

It's Not Just About Cars

10/1 from 2:00-3:00 pm

Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Evacuation Planning

10/2 from 1:45-2:45 pm

Aaron Berger is a senior project manager at DKS Associates in Meridian, Idaho. With a background in travel demand modeling and 11 years of experience in transportation planning, Aaron has managed and led tasks on statewide, regional, and local planning projects for a broad variety of jurisdictions in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, California and Texas. His project portfolio includes system infrastructure planning efforts focused on enhancing and increasing access and connectivity for non-auto mode users, leveraging changing urban form to build sustainable, connected communities. Aaron develops and implements models that quantify the broader transportation benefits of multimodal investments, guiding policy decisions for local communities. He also develops tools that support community resilience planning, providing critical data needed to respond to changing conditions caused by hazardous events.

Form, Fit, Function: Reimagining Density through Place Types

10/1 from 2:00-3:00 pm

Balancing Growth

10/2 from 3:00-4:00

Morgan Bessaw is a Certified Planner (AICP) and Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) with the City of Caldwell, Idaho. She has dedicated her planning career to serving communities within Idaho. Morgan received her Master of Science degree in Bioregional Planning and Community Design from the University of Idaho and has previously served as a City Planner in both McCall, ID and Eagle, ID. She is very familiar with the rapid growth and affordable housing issues facing small communities across the West; these experiences helped prepare her for her current position as the Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning in Caldwell, Idaho, which she loves. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her daughters, baking, reading, and doing yoga.

Combating Misinformation through Public Engagement and Education

10/1 from 4:30-5:15 pm

Parker Bodily is a Project Planner with Barghausen Consulting Engineers a Division of Core States Group. In his current position he works with multiple Quick Service Restaurant, Carwash, and Fueling companies to deliver entitlement approvals and permits from jurisdictions across the United States. Previously, Parker worked at the City of Nampa as a Senior Planner focused on current planner. Parker holds a master’s degree in Bioregional Planning and Community Design from the University of Idaho through which he developed a deep understanding of local communities’ needs and the preservation of natural resources. He holds a key interest in rural planning and enjoys the intricacies of planning in Idaho. Parker became a Certified Planner in 2023 and he continues to learn through involvement in planning in the region and working with planners across the country.

Combating Misinformation through Public Engagement and Education

10/1 from 4:30-5:15 pm

Amy Bowman is the Director of Communications for the City of Nampa, serving under Mayor Kling since 2018. Amy has a passion for highlighting the amazing work done by city staff to the community and focuses on building trust with the citizens they serve. She is a proud member of #TeamP&Z. Amy holds a Communication degree from Boise State University.

Idaho's Housing Future

10/2 from 3:00-4:00 pm

Maureen Brewer is the Director of Planning and Development Services for the City of Boise. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the city's comprehensive planning efforts, land use policies, and the development review process. Her previous experience as the Senior Manager of Housing and Community Development, where she managed initiatives related to affordable housing and homelessness, provides a valuable foundation for her work in guiding the city's future growth and development.

Matilda “Tilley” Bubb is the City of Boise’s Cultural Planner. She helps integrate arts and history into public life by creating cultural plans, strategic partnerships, and community engagement. Highlights include the city’s first Cultural Master Plan (2017), along with public art plans for Public Works (2021) and Boise Airport (2023). She previously managed public art projects and helped create policies like the Percent for Art Ordinance (2001), spurring the city’s investment in public art. Bubb earned her Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration (2024) and a Master of Public Administration (2008) both from Boise State, and a BFA from the University of Oregon (1990).

From Vision to Reality - Idaho's Future City of Mayfield

10/3 from 10:15-11:30 am

T. Hethe Clark is a partner at Clark Wardle LLP in Boise, Idaho, where he focuses on real estate transactions, land use and entitlements, and related litigation. He has extensive experience guiding clients through complex development approvals and regulatory processes, and is a trusted advisor to developers and landowners across the region. He has been lead land use counsel for multiple planned communities and specific plan projects, including Harris Ranch and Mayfield Springs. His litigation practice focuses on appellate defense of land use entitlements. Hethe is a graduate of Duke University and Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, was inducted as a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers in 2019, and has been recognized as Boise’s Lawyer of the Year in Land Use and Zoning in 2022 and 2024 by Best Lawyers in America®.

Your ADU Is My Duplex - Treasure Valley Cities' Differences in Accessory Dwelling Units

10/2 from 1:45-2:45 pm

Robin Collins serves as the Community Development Director and Building Official for the City of Caldwell, where she is responsible for leading a dynamic team in the operations of city planning, zoning, building safety, economic development, code compliance, parking compliance, community development block grants, and the Caldwell library.

With over 38 years of extensive public sector experience, Robin has held various roles in code enforcement, planning, building safety, community development, and economic development in Arizona, Nevada and Idaho, including over 13 years in executive director-level roles.

Robin is a certified Professional Community and Economic Developer, as well as a Certified Building Official, Building

and Fire Plans Examiner, Building Inspector, Zoning Inspector, and Code Enforcement Administrator.

Throughout her career, Robin has been instrumental in driving strategic initiatives, characterized by a deep

commitment to promoting balanced development that honors the City’s unique character while addressing the

community’s needs.

Born in Arizona, Robin moved to Idaho in 2002 where she met her husband, Rod. They have been married for 20 years and love spending time camping, golfing, and enjoying family time with their six adult children, their families, and their two 7-year-old grand-daughters.

Economic Development, Community Revitalization, Infrastructure through Urban Renewal

10/1 from 2:00-3:00 pm

Ethics Jeopardy

10/3 from 10:15-11:30 am

AICP Exam Prep

10/3 from 11:45 am -12:45 pm

Brad Cramer, AICP, is and owner of Perspective Planning and Consulting, a firm focused on making professional planning services accessible to communities of all sizes. Services include comprehensive and strategic planning, zoning and development codes, community engagement, urban renewal eligibility reports, and financial feasibility studies. With nearly 20 years of experience in land use planning—including roles with the City of Idaho Falls and Idaho National Laboratory—Brad brings a practical, grounded approach to community development. He holds degrees from Idaho State University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of Idaho.

Balancing Growth and Community Voices: Challenges and Strategies for Comprehensive Planning in Canyon County

10/2 from 3:00-4:00 pm

Doug Critchfield is a registered Landscape Architect with more than 45 years of combined private- and public-sector experience. He holds a BS in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a Master of Public Administration from CSU Stanislaus. Doug’s private-sector work has included large-scale residential design, corporate campus planning, transportation corridor planning, mining reclamation, and river habitat restoration in California. His extensive public-sector career spans roles with the cities of :45-11:30 amSan Jose, Modesto, Seattle, and Nampa, as well as the Cordova Recreation and Park District in Rancho Cordova, CA. He currently serves as Principal Planner for Long Range Planning with the City of Nampa, Idaho.

People Powered Flags

10/1 from 4:30-5:15 pm

Planning in Practice: Partnering with Communities for Experiential Learning

10/2 from 1:45-2:45 pm

Elijah Davis is a Senior at Boise State University, majoring in Urban Studies and Community Development. Currently, he works as a Planning and Programming intern at the Ada County Highway District. He is passionate about using his skills to build equitable communities and public trust through responsible planning and public involvement.

Creating a Safer Treasure Valley: One Step at a Time

10/2 from 10:00-11:30 am

Matt Degen, PE, is the Safety Engineering Manager at the Ada County Highway District (ACHD). Matt manages the Traffic Engineering, Design & Survey, Safe Sidewalks, and Safety Engineering groups at the Highway District. The majority of his professional career has been in the design of roadway projects within Ada County. His current role sees him leading a group of professionals tasked with getting projects completed quickly.

Main Street Magic - Strategies That Work

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

Leon Duce has been with the City Administrator since 2016. Born and raised in Idaho Leon is proud to call this state his home. Leon has worked in city government since 1997. He has worked with city, county, and state elected officials. He has provided technical assistance and training to city elected officials and staff for many of his years of service. Leon currently works for the City of Rathdrum as the City Administrator. He has worked on downtown revitalization, construction of a new city hall campus with a large community park as well as many other projects in the city.

Idaho's Housing Future

10/2 from 3:00-4:00 pm

Deanna Dupuy is the City Planning and Design Manager for the City of Boise. She is responsible for guiding the physical development and design of the city through various plans and projects, including the Modern Zoning Code and the Boise Pathways Master Plan. She holds a master's degree in urban and regional planning

Creating a Safer Treasure Valley: One Step at a Time

10/2 from 10:00-11:30 am

Nick Foster is a Principal Planner at Kittelson & Associates in Boise. He has been helping communities of all sizes develop actionable plans to create safer and more livable multimodal transportation systems for 19 years.

Balancing Growth and Community Voices: Challenges and Strategies for Comprehensive Planning in Canyon County

10/2 from 3:00-4:00 pm

Sheri Freemuth, AICP, is an accomplished city planner with over 40 years of experience in local government planning, environmental consulting, and historic preservation. Since beginning her career, she has been committed to strengthening communities—whether she’s serving in local planning offices, leading environmental impact analysis processes, or saving individual historic properties and districts. At J-U-B Engineers, Inc., she is a Senior Planner and Discipline Lead for the company's growing Planning team, which consists of over a dozen planners throughout the company’s 22 offices and 7 Western States. Her project work focuses on comprehensive plans for small cities and rural counties, demonstrating the principles of planning practice by engaging the community, mentoring local government personnel, and supporting on-going implementation. She has a Master of City Planning degree from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Scripps College.

In her current role as Senior Project Manager for Capital Improvements at Capital City Development Corp (CCDC), Amy oversees much of what people in Boise experience at the ground level: the plazas, streets, sidewalks, bike facilities, and pathways throughout CCDC’s six urban renewal districts. She is passionate about planning projects and implementing ideas that enhance the urban environment, helping ensure Boise remains a sustainable, healthy, and vibrant city for years to come.

County Roundtable

10/2 from 4:15-5:30 pm

Michelle Fuson is the Director of the Planning, Building and G.I.S. departments for Latah County, Idaho. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the County Planning Division of the American Planning Association and the National Association of County Planners. She has a master’s degree which focused on natural resource management, regional planning, and public perceptions of nuclear energy.

Creating a Safer Treasure Valley: One Step at a Time

10/2 from 10:00-11:30 am

Josie Gallup joined COMPASS in the spring of 2022 as the Communication Assistant. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in English with a Professional and Creative Writing emphasis from Central Washington University. Josie assists with communications, design and marketing efforts at COMPASS and she began enthusiastically working on coordinating the collaborative safety campaign “Good Move” in 2024. Currently, this campaign is being used by all COMPASS member agencies to promote safety on our roadways and pathways together through promotion on billboards, social media, printed media, and at in-person events.

Designing for the Future: A Comparative Look at Two Campus Master Plans

10/2 from 10:00-11:30 am

Cheryl worked at ISU for nearly 25 years: first teaching Architecture and working in private practice, then joining ISU Facilities as a project manager, then a Director of Planning, Design and Construction, and the AVP. Currently, as Campus Architect, she works on University Plans, Design Standards, Project Support and design reviews.

Main Street Magic - Strategies That Work

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

Jenny Hemly is the Idaho Main Street Coordinator and an experienced economic development professional. She has worked at Idaho Commerce for 11 years, providing support to help businesses and communities thrive statewide. She collaborates across private, public, and nonprofit sectors, sharing resources and best practices. Jenny is a University of Idaho graduate and currently the President of the Rotary Club of Boise.

From Vision to Reality - Idaho's Future City of Mayfield

10/3 from 10:15-11:30 am

Juan “Johnny” Hernandez is the Building Official for Elmore County Land Use in Idaho, bringing over 25 years of experience in construction, electrical contracting, public works, and project management. He has led multimillion-dollar projects for clients such as Equinox, Macy’s, Honda, Nike, USC, the Rose Bowl, and national cell networks, ensuring compliance, quality, and efficiency from planning to completion. A certified journeyman electrician, general and electrical contractor, building inspector, and firefighter, he is fluent in English and Spanish and recognized for fostering collaboration, guiding development, and advancing infrastructure that benefits communities.

Your ADU Is My Duplex - Treasure Valley Cities' Differences in Accessory Dwelling Units

10/2 from 1:45-2:45 pm

Caleb Hood has worked for the City of Meridian for over 20 years in various positions within the Community Development Department. He currently serves as the Deputy Director, overseeing Land Development, Permitting, as well as the Long-Range and Current Planning divisions. Before joining the city, Caleb worked as a Development Analyst for the Ada County Highway District and as a Subdivision Analyst with Boise City. He holds a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and environmental policy from Western Washington University. Hood is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners as well as the American Planning Association. He is a proud Idaho native and lives in Meridian with his wife and two children.

Combating Misinformation through Public Engagement and Education

10/1 from 4:30-5:15 pm

MOBILE TOUR

From Framework to Future: Aligning Planning and Economic Development

10/2 from 9:45-11:30 am

Breanna Howe is a Senior Planner with the City of Nampa, where she has worked for five years. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis in State and Local Government from Boise State University. Currently, Breanna focuses on long-range planning initiatives for the city. With a strong passion for public engagement and education, Breanna is dedicated to fostering community involvement and understanding of planning processes.

Planning for Agriculture - Idaho Planners Leading Efforts to Protect and Enhance Agriculture

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

Mary has been the Planning Director for Owyhee County for the past 20 years, as well as a rancher with her husband and their daughter, who is the 4th generation ranching on the same land. Mary along with two colleagues host a monthly Zoom meeting called “Ag Chat” concerning fragmentation, and loss of large-scale productive agricultural land to development. The “Ag Chat” was awarded the Rural Innovation Award from Western Planner earlier this year. Mary is very involved with her community and has served on various boards such as her local school board, the Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association, the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, the Joint Land Use Study Advisory Committee, and Chairman of the Historic

Silver City Foundation. Mary is passionate about agriculture, and the preservation of landscape-scale farm and ranch lands that feed our nation.

Main Street Magic - Strategies That Work

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

Susan Jacobson is a dedicated rural economic development professional serving Clearwater County. With over 40 years of diverse experience—as a small business owner, advertising executive, Olympic sport Program Director, business consultant, and Director of Economic Development—she brings a deep commitment to sustainable growth and community resilience. Susan has also led and supported nonprofits as an Executive Director, Development Director, and board member. A proud wife and mother with a heart for the underdog, she excels at building strong connections and driving initiatives that support workforce development, small business growth, infrastructure investment, and overall quality of life in rural communities.

Idaho's Housing Future

10/2 from 3:00-4:00 pm

Kiah Jones serves as the Mayor’s Advisor on Housing for the City of Boise, where she supports local policy initiatives and collaborative efforts to expand access to affordable housing and ongoing housing stability. Her perspective is rooted in direct experience working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Kiah brings to this work a background in community development, nonprofit leadership, and teaching Sociology at Boise State University.

Mobile Tour: Deer Flat Ranch - Mixed Uses by Lake Lowell

10/1 from 3:00-5:00 pm

Charlie Kido is the owner of Deer Flat Ranch, an event center and working farm located along the edge of Lake Lowell and the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. He is leading the Deer Flat Ranch Subdivision, a nearly 260-acre development that includes 189 single-family homes while preserving about 60% of the property for agricultural use and open space. The homes are thoughtfully positioned along the eastern perimeter to maintain the farm’s rural character and protect nearby wildlife habitat. Charlie’s vision also includes a Japanese botanical garden, lavender fields, and seasonal attractions like pumpkin patches and corn mazes. These features celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage and honor the legacy of Japanese American farmers, including his own family, who helped shape the Treasure Valley. Through this project, Charlie blends growth with conservation, creating a space that preserves open land, respects local heritage, and offers year-round cultural and agritourism experiences.

Resilient Team-building - Leveraging Personality Insights

10/2 from 3:00-4:00 pm

Josh is a senior practitioner and collaborative professional with a keen understanding of research, assessment and analysis, negotiation, mediation, facilitation, design thinking, consensus building, communication strategy, and conflict management. He has practiced for 13 years as a facilitator, mediator, and attorney. His experience includes working in corporate, academic, non-profit, and governmental settings leading groups and teams in a variety of contexts. He has served on non-profit boards and worked collaboratively with many community and professional organizations. He has mediated over one thousand disputes and regularly presents at conferences and workshops around the state and country. Josh is passionate about working with people and organizations to uncover root issues and pivot to solutions that are viable, feasible, and sustainable. Over the past six years, Josh has implemented a design thinking approach to inform a wide variety of projects throughout the Intermountain West.

Moo...and a lot of poo - CAFO Review Challenges

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

Mauri Knott is the Senior Planner in Latah County. Mauri’s background in the agriculture industry and heart for public service drives her passion to serve patrons in her county while preserving the rural character and beautiful farm and forest lands of the Palouse. Mauri serves as a regional representative for the Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association, on the Idaho Department of Lands Resource Coordinating Council, the Idaho Forest Legacy Program, and the Latah County Preservation Working Group. Mauri is active in her community, wearing several volunteer hats serving youth organizations. She and her husband enjoy renovating their 1930’s small farmstead and spending time in the beautiful mountains of North Idaho.

Planning in Practice: Partnering with Communities for Experiential Learning

10/2 from 1:45-2:45 pm

Sheil Krell is a Montana native and senior at Boise State University majoring in Urban Studies and Community Development. Her passion for planning grew from community-based experiences in Boise, including service learning projects and collaborations with local organizations, which revealed how deeply the built environment shapes everyday life. She recently completed a data-focused internship with the City of Boise’s Planning and Development Services team, ensuring accurate planning application data under the city’s new zoning code to help inform better decisions about growth. In addition to her academic and internship work, Sheil serves as a School of Public Service Student Ambassador, supporting experiential career learning initiatives that connect students with real-world opportunities. She is committed to creating equitable, connected communities and blending academic insight with hands-on experience to make places better for the people who call them home.

Economic Development, Community Revitalization, Infrastructure through Urban Renewal

10/1 from 2:00-3:00 pm

Diane Kushlan, FAICP, is a principal in Kushlan | Associates. The firm provides planning and management services to Idaho communities and non-profits. A full range of services are offered including urban renewal, strategic planning, project management, municipal finance, general planning and zoning, community outreach and organizational development. Prior to her consultancy, Diane served local governments in California, Washington State and Idaho. She received a master’s degree in City Planning from San Diego State University.

City Roundtable

10/2 from 4:15-5:30 pm

Morgan Landers brings over 20 years of experience in public, private, and non-profit planning and community development. After working in brownfield redevelopment on both coasts, she served as Town Planner for Eagle, Colorado, and Planning Manager for Eagle County before joining the City of Ketchum’s planning team in 2021. She assumed the Director role in December 2022 and currently chairs Education & Outreach for APA Idaho. Morgan is celebrated for building collaborative partnerships and nurturing high-performing teams to address evolving development challenges.

Creating a Safer Treasure Valley: One Step at a Time

10/2 from 10:00-11:30 am

Tom Laws, AICP, is the Planning Manager at the Ada County Highway District (ACHD). Tom manages a team of Engineers, ADA, Bike/Ped and Funding Coordinators, and Transportation Planning professionals focusing on accessibility and mobility, pavement management, and project programming. He is passionate about building the Treasure Valley’s transportation network to allow residents to move however they choose, whether they walk, bike, roll, take transit, or drive.

MOBILE TOUR

From Framework to Future: Aligning Planning and Economic Development

10/2 from 9:45-11:30 am

Ben Levenger is an AICP planner, registered landscape architect, and Mainstreet America Revitalization Professional. He is the president of Downtown Redevelopment Services, LLC, a planning firm specializing in assisting communities through comprehensive downtown planning and downtown redevelopment services.

Your ADU Is My Duplex - Treasure Valley Cities' Differences in Accessory Dwelling Units

10/2 from 1:45-2:45 pm

Jesi Lile is a Senior Planner and CFM (Certified Floodplain Manager) at the City of Boise and is a graduate of the Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning program at the University of Iowa. In her current role, she focuses on current planning review, working through entitlements, mentorship, code review, floodplain program management, along with leading her own team. With projects ranging from a 400-square-foot ADU to large mixed-use developments, Jesi lives in an ever-changing dynamic. She finds passion in the relationships between environmental planning, access to affordable housing, nutritional equity, and multimodal transportation networks. Jesi’s varied interests have led her to work on special initiatives at the city, such as developing pre-approved ADU plans and serving on the Innovation Challenge Team. Playing a key role in both the development and continuous updates of Boise’s modern zoning code, along with spearheading the public-facing resources to accompany the new code, Jesi is truly a Jackie

of all trades.

MOBILE TOUR

The Ford Idaho Center

10/3 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Andrew Luther is the General Manager of the Ford Idaho Center & Nampa Civic Center, located in Nampa ID. Luther began in Nampa in late 2015 and has provided direct oversight since 2019. Prior to Nampa, Luther spent four years at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, IA. Luther currently sits on the Nampa Chamber of Commerce Board and is the Chair of the Nampa Tourism Council.

Form, Fit, Function: Reimagining Density through Place Types

10/1 from 2:00-3:00 pm

Miriam McGilvray is an AICP certified Senior Associate Planner with the consulting firm Logan Simpson with over a decade of experience in long-range planning. She brings a multidisciplinary approach to planning, combining policy expertise with authentic community engagement to shape inclusive planning processes across urban, suburban, and rural communities in the Mountain West. Many of her projects have received local and national awards for innovation, equity, and impact. Miriam holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado Denver with a focus in placemaking. When not working, she enjoys traveling, reading, and dancing.

Moo...and a lot of poo - CAFO Review Challenges

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

From Vision to Reality - Idaho's Future City of Mayfield

10/3 from 10:15-11:30 am

Mitra Mehta-Cooper is an architect, urban planner, and strategic thinker with more than thirty years of experience in diverse geographic contexts. Her career path is deeply rooted in improving quality of life of people by shaping their built environments. Mitra has developed award-winning projects for public sector in two states that are each an example of true public-private partnerships. She has recently pivoted to private sector at P&P Consulting Group, where she continues to support public and private sector projects in two states.

Moo...and a lot of poo - CAFO Review Challenges

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

Angela Michaels is a licensed civil engineer and the owner of Engineering with a Mission, llc. She is currently the contract County Engineer for Elmore County and was the former County Engineer and Floodplain Manger for Ada County, Idaho. Angela has a BS from Oregon State University. She’s a Certified Floodplain Manager with extensive experience in hydrology and hydraulics analysis. She is also a Certified Profession in Erosion and Sediment Control. Angela spends her spare time mountain biking, fly fishing, and traveling the world participating on volunteer design teams in developing countries.

Planning in Practice: Partnering with Communities for Experiential Learning

10/2 from 1:45-2:45 pm

Dr. Jillian Moroney is an Associate Teaching Professor at Boise State University, where she teaches in the Urban Studies and Environmental Studies programs. Her work centers on community outreach and education, with a particular focus on how communities view and interact with natural resources. Jillian specializes in experiential learning, creating opportunities for students to engage with real-world issues through internships, community-based projects, and field experiences both locally and beyond. She has partnered with a wide range of community organizations to connect classroom learning with hands-on practice, fostering student growth while addressing community needs. Jillian holds a master’s degree in Bioregional Planning and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science.

It's Not Just About Cars

10/1 from 2:00-3:00 pm

Creating a Safer Treasure Valley: One Step at a Time

10/2 from 10:00-11:30 am

Hunter Mulhall is a Principal Planner at the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS). With a background in geography and GIS, and 8 years of transportation planning experience, Hunter leads efforts in transportation safety, transportation systems management and operations (TSMO), intelligent transportation systems (ITS), and congestion management. He also oversees the analysis and reporting of transportation performance measures, helping to guide data-driven decision making in the region.

Reasoned Statements

10/2 from 10:00-11:30 am

Patricia Nilsson retired in 2021 after a 30+ year career as a public sector planner in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Idaho. She is a past president of the former Idaho Planning Association (predecessor of the Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association) and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. She received a B.A. in Political Science from Virginia Tech. She is currently serving as an Ada County Highway District commissioner.

Idaho's Housing Future

10/2 from 3:00-4:00 pm

Nicki Olivier Hellenkamp is the Director of Housing and Homelessness Policy for the City of Boise. A Boise native with a background in social work, she draws on her diverse work experience with housing and homeless services providers in Philadelphia, the Housing Development Consortium Seattle-King County, and the City of Seattle to inform her current role.

Vangie Osborn is the founder of Signs of Our Times, a project dedicated to preserving Boise’s historic neon and commercial signs as art and legacy. Inspired by the discovery of the Royal Optical eyeglasses and coffee cup signs in a vacant downtown storefront, she has worked to safeguard these icons as part of Boise’s cultural heritage. Osborn served as managing director of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival (1985–1994), held leadership roles with the Boise City Arts Commission, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bulgaria (1996–1998). She is a past president of the Idaho Humane Society board and the recipient of the Governor’s Arts Award (1994).

City Roundtable

10/2 from 4:15-5:30 pm

Hilary Patterson has served as Community Planning Director for the City of Coeur d’Alene since 2014, bringing over 25 years of experience as a city planner and planning consultant across the West. She is known for her collaborative leadership style, community engagement, and focus on placemaking. Hilary has received multiple planning awards, presented at NPC, moderated ULI Idaho’s Emerging Trends program, and attended the Placemaking Institute. She is currently serving her second term as President of APA Idaho.

Elevating Transportation: Using Aerial Cable Cars as Transit

10/2 from 4:15-5:30 pm

Dan is a certified city planner with 25 years of municipal and regional land use planning expertise. His accomplishments have showcased diverse projects ranging from historic preservation and economic development to industrial site planning, new highway corridors, and statewide land compatibility analysis. He fosters collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, bringing together diverse perspectives to formulate community-based solutions through a collective and inclusive decision-making process. Dan regularly leads complex initiatives that involve high-level elected officials, public agencies, and local advocacy groups. Within SCJ’s Cable Propelled Transit group, Dan steers multidisciplinary teams through the many stages of these innovative transportation systems, including site analysis, feasibility, alignment validation, environmental constraints, and permitting/entitlement.

Planning for Agriculture - Idaho Planners Leading Efforts to Protect and Enhance Agriculture

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

Jennifer Riebe is a Payette County Commissioner and has lived in Payette County for over 30 years. She holds both a bachelor’s degree in horticulture and a master’s degree in entomology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and is self-employed as an independent crop advisor for local farmers.

Jennifer is known by family and friends as a lifelong learner and is always seeking new opportunities to learn and grow. She’s played violin for 18 years and has been known to help out in the family’s shoe repair shop in Boise. Jennifer joined the commissions for both Payette County to give back to the community that has given so much to her and her family while at the same time fueling her desire for knowledge.

Idaho's Housing Future

10/2 from 3:00-4:00 pm

Alexa Roitman facilitates the Affordable Housing Advisory Workgroup at COMPASS, where she has worked as an Assistant Planner since April 2023. She holds a BA in Urban Studies from Boise State University.

Reasoned Statements

10/2 from 10:00-11:30 am

Preston B. Rutter is the City Attorney for the City of Nampa — and has the distinct privilege to be Nampa’s first ever in-house city attorney. He has a strong background in law and public administration. Driven to add value to people and places, Preston aims to help communities reach their best potential through his diverse experience in law, city management, the private and public sectors. He holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Public Administration (JD-MPA) from the University of Kansas (2018) from the U.S. News #1 Ranked City Management and Local Government MPA Program, and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Brigham Young University (2013).

Preston has advised city councils on legal matters in his current role as City Attorney, and previously specialized in land-use, planning and zoning, and municipal law in private practice representing developers (2022-2024) and municipalities (2019-2022). Preston also has collaborated on fiscal impact assessments with the Idaho State Legislature (2015) and served as Staff Attorney for The Honorable Mitchell W. Brown in Caribou County, Soda Springs, ID (2018–2019).

When he’s not providing counsel to the City of Nampa, he enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and four beautiful children.

He invites collaboration to enhance community impact and welcomes connections to add value together.

From Vision to Reality - Idaho's Future City of Mayfield

10/3 from 10:15-11:30 am

Rafael Sanchez is an environmental and urban planner with Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group in Idaho. His work centers on land-use entitlements and development review—representing clients before county planning commissions and coordinating with local agencies on project approvals. Recent engagements include planning representation for conditional use permits in Canyon County and service as a consulting planner supporting Elmore County’s Land Use & Building Department.

Main Street Magic - Strategies That Work

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

Doug Self has worked at the City of Driggs since 2003, and now serves as its Community Development Director and Acting City Administrator. Doug coordinates the community's Main Street program, which is transforming Downtown Driggs into an Arts and Culinary destination and livable neighborhood in partnership with the Downtown Driggs Association, Driggs Urban Renewal Agency and private owners & developers.

Mark is an Urban Designer and Landscape Architect with over 30 years of experience leading public and private projects throughout the West. His award-winning work includes town centers, campuses, parks, plazas, streetscapes, and courtyards at the city, block and site scale. Much of Mark’s work is at the forefront of growth with cities and urban renewal agencies, where he has solidified a reputation for successful public engagement processes and positive outcomes under challenging circumstances. His private sector experience includes mixed-use development from the planning to the implementation scale, with expertise in more technical landscapes over structure, and resilient planting design within the urban environment.

Planning for Agriculture - Idaho Planners Leading Efforts to Protect and Enhance Agriculture

10/1 from 3:15-4:15 pm

Keri K. Smith is the director of Growing Together, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving agricultural land, strengthening rural economies, and promoting responsible land use planning in Canyon County and the greater Treasure Valley. She is also the founder of Treasure Valley Planning Idaho (TVP), a consulting firm specializing in land use planning and economic development. With over 20 years of experience in planning, economic development, tourism, downtown revitalization, and organizational leadership, Keri brings both technical expertise and practical experience to bridge community well-being, private property rights, and sustainable growth.

Keri has a proven record of service as a land use planner for Canyon County, in economic development with the City of Caldwell, and as the founder and CEO of Destination Caldwell, where she spearheaded the revitalization of downtown Caldwell and the creation of Indian Creek Plaza. She also served as Chairman of the Canyon County Board of Commissioners, giving her unique insight into the policies that shape growth and development in Idaho. Today, through Growing Together and TVP, she collaborates with governments, landowners, and civic groups to ensure that growth respects the region’s agricultural heritage while meeting future community needs.

Modernizing Idaho’s Transportation Fiber Optic Network

10/1 from 4:30-5:15 pm

Jennifer has a master's degree in GIS and over 17 years of GIS and data analysis experience in federal and local government and the private sector. She specializes in designing databases and user-friendly web-based asset management systems and mobile field applications. Jennifer has extensive experience creating GIS-based project websites that include interactive tools for online public involvement. She is skilled in managing and analyzing data related to water, sewer, transportation, fiber optic and land use. Jennifer received an APA Planning award for developing a GIS planning tool to scope roadway projects, enabling organizations to view engineering designs and existing conditions while providing feedback in one application.

Economic Development, Community Revitalization, Infrastructure through Urban Renewal

10/1 from 2:00-3:00 pm

Jenah Thornborrow. AICP, is the city of Garden City’s Development Services Director. She has been with the city since 2005. During her time with the city, the Department has earned recognition for its plans, ordinances, placemaking efforts, environmental stewardship, and strategic use of technology. Throughout her tenure, Jenah has interacted with the Garden City’s Urban Renewal districts, contributing to coordination and planning efforts as the city explores opportunities for revitalization and thoughtful community growth. She believes that successful community development relies on strong partnerships and creative funding strategies to bring transformative ideas to life. She holds a master’s degree in urban and Regional Planning with an emphasis in sustainable development. Before coming (back) to Idaho, Jenah worked as a Planner in Resource Management for the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Evacuation Planning

10/2 from 1:45-2:45 pm

Resilient Team-building - Leveraging Personality Insights

10/2 from 3:00-4:00 pm

Ethics Jeopardy

10/3 from 10:15-11:30 am

Allison is a certified planner and professional landscape architect with 20 years of experience in regional and local planning as well as floodplain management. Her work includes multi-agency coordination between local, state, federal, and tribal governments across a wide range of planning projects in Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Washington, and Oregon. As a former County Planner, she excels at providing planning expertise to serve communities and developing positive professional working relationships with staff, permitting agencies, and stakeholders.

MOBILE TOUR

From Framework to Future: Aligning Planning and Economic Development

10/2 from 9:45-11:30 am

MOBILE TOUR

Planners as Brokers: Nampa’s Industrial Development Success

10/2 from 3:00-5:00 pm

Morgan Treasure currently serves as the Assistant Director of Economic Development for the City of Nampa. Her focus areas are business retention and expansion, urban renewal and supporting downtown revitalization efforts. She has previously served as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Kuna, in multiple roles with the Economic Development department with the City of Nampa and as the Executive Director of the Downtown Nampa Association. When not at work, she enjoys gardening and exploring the beautiful Idaho wilderness with her two daughters.

Mobile Tour: Deer Flat Ranch - Mixed Uses by Lake Lowell

10/1 from 3:00-5:00 pm

With over 22 years of experience in land use and active transportation planning, Kristi has worked in both the private and public sectors to promote smart growth, sustainable development, and healthy, livable communities. Their work includes leading bicycle and pedestrian planning projects, supporting attainable housing, and writing and enforcing development codes. Kristi holds certifications in Bicycle Infrastructure Planning and Design, Floodplain Regulation, and GIS mapping.