Education:
BA Honors 2009 Urban Planning
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Affiliations/Membership:
American Planning Association, Utah Chapter
Professional Background:
Michael joined Interplan in November of 2010 and has since been involved in a diversity of projects. He brings a strong eye for visual communication and graphical design. He is currently developing his skills in the Adobe Design Suite, GIS, and exploring the planning applications of Google Sketchup.
At the University of Utah he wrote an Undergraduate Honors Thesis studying Salt Lake City's plans for post-disaster recovery planning efforts in light of the reconstruction of New Orleans. In the Senior Planning Workshop at the University of Utah he worked in a small group to develop a route alignment recommendation for the 5600 West Bus Rapid Transit for UTA. During the summer of 2008 he worked in New Orleans as an Architectural Design Intern in the Design Studio of the Lower 9th Ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network Association. He also interned with the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office where he assisted in lobbying efforts during the State of Utah 2009 Legislature.
Personal Interests:
I stumbled into Urban Planning after realizing that my Architecture and Anthropology classes were speaking to one another. Ever since, I have been fascinated with how people shape their environments. My time spent working in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans turned me into a passionate advocate for equitable access to transportation and holistic disaster preparation.I love getting outside whether it's skiing in the winter or backpacking in the summer. I am an avid proponent of radical self reliance and Leave No Trace when traveling and spending time in the outdoors. Spinning fire and LED poi continues to be one of my favorite hobbies along with participating in the Burning Man festival and community. I also enjoy reading, cooking, and hiking (both urban and wilderness).