The Nebraska/Dakotas ASLA Chapter hosted the Central States Conference Virtually from May 12th through 14th. After two years of planning, the planning team put together lineup of speakers. Each day was kicked off by phenomenal keynote speakers - Michelle Delk of Sn???,hetta, Nathan Elliott of the Office of James Burnett, and Scott Bishop of Bishop Land Design.

 
National Recognition
Jen Cross, PLA, a Site Design Leader at HDR in Omaha, has been selected by ASLA to serve as the 2021-2022 ASLA Chapter President Council Chair. As part of this position, Jen will advocate for ASLA' Chapters across the United States, communicating information and tools available through ASLA on behalf of National ASLA's officers. Jen will also work to promote the profession of landscape architecture by serving on the Public Awareness Coalition and bringing exposure to the field by supporting networking events and opportunities to connect with students and young professionals.
As a former Nebraska/Dakotas Chapter President, Jen will bring her years of experience in organizing events, boosting membership, and connecting with other Chapters to her new role, by utilizing ASLA resources to their fullest potential and connecting with the next generation of landscape architects to her new position.
Kene Okigbo, PLA, a Landscape Architect at RDG Planning & Design in Omaha, has received the ASLA 2020 Outstanding Service Award, a program that recognizes ASLA member volunteers who are making notable contributions to or on behalf of the Society at the National level!
Kene serves on the Government Affairs Advisory Committee (GAAC) and has championed encouraging students and emerging professionals to become more involved in our advocacy efforts and ASLA committees and events. Kene has been part of a small group within the GAAC working on better educating ASLA members on government and what it can do for you. While serving as the Associate Representative to the Board of Trustees, he volunteered to help lead the Climate Action Committee's first student forum at the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture in San Diego, California.
Kene's volunteerism within ASLA, and many other community organizations, is substantial, well-respected, and extremely generous.
For more information about these incredible members visit:

https://www.ndcasla.org/news/2021/5/14/national-recognition-for-two-of-our-nebraskadakotas-asla-members