1. Tell us a little about your career trajectory since you graduated from UT.
Upon graduating from the University of Tennessee, I began my career with ValleyCrest Landscape Development (now BrightView Landscape Development) as a Project Engineer in Atlanta, GA. Rather than pursuing a traditional role with a landscape architecture firm, I chose this path based on the guidance of several landscape architects I worked with during the SoLA program. My decision was driven by a passion for the built environment and a desire to gain a deep understanding of how complex landscape architecture projects are implemented before transitioning into a design-focused role.
During my tenure at BVLD, I advanced through the ranks to lead the Southeast region, managing an annual portfolio of $30 million in work. After seven years in this role, I transitioned to BrightView Design Group, where I served as a principal, overseeing design-build projects nationally and internationally.
In 2024, I joined EDSA as Vice President, where I continue to build on my design expertise while leading large-scale, multidisciplinary landscape architecture projects across diverse geographies. This role allows me to combine my operational and implementation background with a design leadership focus, advancing impactful, resilient, and innovative public realm and development projects.
2. Tell us a bit about your firm and projects or type of work you are doing.
EDSA is a globally recognized landscape architecture and urban design practice with over six decades of experience shaping environments that enrich communities and connect people to place. The firm is known for its collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that blends planning, design, and implementation across a diverse range of project types—including large-scale mixed-use developments, cultural destinations, parks and open spaces, resorts, campuses, and community-driven public realm projects.
With offices in the U.S. and internationally, EDSA works in more than 100 countries, delivering innovative and sustainable design solutions that respond to the cultural, ecological, and economic context of each site. Current efforts span transformative public realm revitalizations, resort and tourism master plans, and forward-looking community and institutional projects—each guided by a commitment to resilience, ecological health, and the human experience.
The sector of work I primarily focus on centers around high-end hospitality and urban infill developments. These project types align closely with my background in the built environment, where I’ve developed a strong understanding of how complex, multi-layered projects are designed and executed. My experience allows me to navigate the of creating vibrant, resilient hospitality destinations and transformative urban spaces that seamlessly integrate into their surrounding context.
3. Do you have a favorite professional project you have worked on? Why did it have such an impact for you?
From the Development side of my professional career, it would have to be the Atlanta Braves Baseball Stadium (Truist Park). The opportunity to be the project manager for the build of this project really expanded my knowledge of Professional Sports Venue design and development. It presented an opportunity to work with many different consultants and trades to execute a project to the highest level. And come on, how many people can say they have built a professional baseball stadium?
From the Design side of my professional career, it would have to be the TransAmerica Pyramid in San Francisco CA. We were brought on as the Landscape Architect of Record to collaborate with Foster and Partners for the revitalization of the historic architectural landmark. The goal of this project was to recognize and respect the historic character of the original design but bring it into the 21st century.
4. What skills that you learned in your MLA program have you found to be the most helpful?
Critical problem solving and work ethic! As a professional service provider, our clients come to us for helping them develop their dreams and goals for their projects and most always these desires come with complex problems that must be worked out to execute a project to perfection. In order to execute on these goals work ethic is critical. In the professional services industry, dedication and passion to execute projects to the highest level not only set the standard for the future of the industry but also creates some of the most iconic landscape spaces that future generations will enjoy. This sometimes requires long hours and little sleep to maintain the deliverables that are required to meet the project schedules. The series of Studios and classes that were part of my MLA program created opportunities and constraints that needed many hours of research and collaboration with my classmates to figure out. Many times, this required us to push the envelope of the traditional design approach to come to a creative design solution that addressed the design brief that was present to us.