LASN June 2010 Movers & Shakers

Erik Larsen

Erik Larsen, ASGCA, was elected president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) Larsen is executive vice president and senior golf course architect of Arnold Palmer Design Co., based in Orlando, Fla. He holds a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from North Carolina State University and counts ASGCA Past President Ed Seay as a former colleague and mentor. He is a CLARB-certified Landscape Architect and is also a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and Urban Land Institute.

East Coast Erosion Blankets LLC, Bernville, Pa., announced the hiring of John Ravert, a technical expert in the erosion and sediment control field. He is a CPESC and NICET-certified Erosion and Sediment Control engineering technician and an active member of the Mid-Atlantic chapter of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA).

Frank Wintruba & Steven Bach

LandOpt, the leader of on demand business operating systems for the landscaping industry, announced the addition of Steven Bach to the success coach team to mentor the proactive sales teams of the nationwide network of landscape service providers and announces the addition of Frank Wintruba as manager of licensee sales to drive the successful growth of the nationwide network of landscape service providers.

Ritchie Smith Associates has been chosen to lead the planning and implementation of the multi-phase site plan of the $100 million Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tenn.  Memphis-based Ritchie Smith Associates specializes in landscape architecture, urban design and planning. Its portfolio of work includes projects at Memphis Botanic Garden, Tunica River Park, Memphis College of Art and improvements to Overton Park.

Sharon Heider

Sharon Heider, parks and recreation director for the city of Palm Springs since 2007, will take over as San Clemente’s director of beaches, parks and recreation. She leads a staff of 64 full-time and seasonal personnel and a $10.4 million budget, administering parks, recreation programs, downtown streetscape maintenance, two 18-hole golf courses, a swim center, a skate park, a dog park, trails and open space.  She is listed as a licensed landscape architect with a BA in landscape architecture and environmental planning from Utah State University.

Robert Brustlin

Bob Brustlin, President and CEO of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. a top-rated planning, design and engineering firm based in Watertown, Mass. With offices in Orlando and Sarasota, announced its acquisition of MSCW, an Orlando, Florida based planning and engineering firm. Both companies have been in business for more than 25 years.  VHB’s Florida operations will operate as VHB MillerSellen. Both firms have portfolios that include many significant projects and distinguished clients.

Christy Gabler

Engineering hot shot and supreme multi-tasker Christy Gabler, senior civil engineer at North Coast Engineering in Paso Robles, has added more initials after her name. The PE (Professional Engineer), is now also a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC)

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced the selection of veteran journalist Bradford McKee as the new Editor-in-Chief for Landscape Architecture magazine, the landscape architecture profession’s national magazine of record celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

John Grote

Grote Industries, a world leader in high-performance LED lighting technology for the transportation industry, announced an initiative aimed at getting its staff and its revolutionary LED WhiteLight Work Lamp Portfolio up close and personal with its customers. Dubbed the Trilliant Technology Tour, the road show-style program will highlight Grote’s elite group of six high-tech, high-performance LED WhiteLight Work Lamps.

Cannon Design, an internationally ranked architectural, engineering and planning firm, announce James R. Bones, PE, LEED AP, CDT, MIPENZ, as associate principal. Bones earned his bachelor’s degree of electrical and electronic engineering with honors from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. He is a LEED-accredited professional and a member of the Institute of Professional Engineers of New Zealand.

Terry Clements, associate professor of landscape architecture in the School of Architecture and Design, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, was elected to serve as first vice president of the Council of Educators of Landscape Architecture.

Tristan McMannis