The Myer Wolfe Award recognizes professional achievement and advancement of the planning profession, which to me are nearly synonymous with Dave Andersen, AICP. Dave has been a consistent, authoritative, and generous presence at the Washington State Department of Commerce for more than twenty years. Dave work in plan review gave him broad exposure to planning across the state and he has leveraged that perspective to provide consistently on-point advice to planners, the planning community , and to the legislature where his voice has supported better policy and, more importantly, implementation. Dave is ever present at conferences, webinars, and task forces such ad the Road Map series, and shares what he knows with the broader community, to all of our benefits.

 

The Eric Shields Award recognizes outstanding contribution to their community, organization, or the profession by virtue of their leadership, and Steve Toy embodies so many of the characteristics that made Eric an incredible planner and leader. Steve is an amazing planner who has supported the demographics and buildable lands analyses, and numerical foundations of growth management planning in Snohomish County for more than two decades. Steve is a teacher who helps explain complicated methodologies to fellow planners and elected officials with confidence, patience, and a sense of the bigger picture.

 

The Bob Burke Award recognizes exceptional service to the APA-WA chapter community. This year it was an easy choice to recognize the three hardworking, thoughtful, and inspiring members of our Youth in Planning Committee: Gwen Rousseau, AICP, Stephanie Velasco, AICP, and Steve Butler, FAICP. Engaging young people in the world of planning has so many benefits for our communities: youth gain an understanding of their world and how they can participate and shape it, and we all benefit from the invigorating perspective and new ideas that youth bring to planning our communities.  In addition, youth engagement can provide a better way to connect with the adults in their households who may have language or other barriers to participation.  The work of the Youth and Planning Committee introduces the next generation to what we can all agree is the best career there is (sorry astronauts). Stephanie, Gwen, and Steve have been generous with their time, effective with their actions, and consistent with their work. Thank you!!
 

The Barbara Grace Award recognizes a mid-level planner (a broad category) who has distinguished themselves with dedication to public service, innovation, and professional accomplishment. These are the front-line, sometimes unsung planners in our agencies and firms who help "Create Great Communities for All" and represent the future leadership of our profession. This year we recognize Nikole Coleman, AICP, who strives with passion to keep planning relevant and accessible to the public, while building up the next generation. Nikole has taken initiative to support and mentor new planners and students who were interested in planning and managed an innovative and fun comprehensive plan public participation program, including events such as Coffee with a Planner, Whisper with a Planner (at the library), and Planner in the Park. Rock on Nikole!