My career is a commitment to helping communities plan, manage change, assess options, and implement solutions, to create vibrant, resilient, prosperous, and healthy places, for all (see 'accomplishments' section).In the last twenty+ years, I've learned that process, listening, learning, and inclusion matter. Sound process design requires listening, which forges partnerships, and builds trust. Collaboration builds ownership; ownership drives results. Decisions need to be informed by research, analysis, and proof points, and always examined to avoid unintended consequences, especially around equity and (in)justice. Who benefits, and who doesn't, from our actions and policy decisions must be asked and critically examined at every juncture. This historically has not been common practice and has led to systemic inequalities around race, native/indigenous people, communities of color, and immigrant/new Americans. We collectively can and must do better. We need the intersection of many disciplines to forge solutions, engineering, design, land use, health, food, active transportation, inclusion, and the built environment. When outcomes are measured by economic, social, inclusive, and environmental factors, there are more widely shared, equitable, and sustained benefits, for all.Planning to improve community health and livelihood can be a messy and complicated process, but is essential to our collective well-being, for all people, of all races, all ages, and diverse backgrounds. I believe that most of us have commonly shared core values, like family, friends, faith, health, prosperity, safety, and security. When we reach common ground on these, that is where we make the most progress despite what differences may exist. I am an optimist at heart. I believe that dedicated people (local champions) make the most difference in community improvement. Finding and empowering these change agents, our "grasstops," and local leaders is how positive change really happens. Despite challenges we collectively face at local, regional, and national levels, I believe that through collaboration, persistence, and creativity we can overcome them. We have the capacity to be resilient people, communities, and plan for the unknown and unexpected. But it takes hard work and intention to succeed. I'm willing to put that hard work in. Let's do this!Sincerely,Jason(urban planner, father, dedicated partner, foreign service kid, cat-person, ultimate frisbee player, outdoors lover, home-chef, vegetable grower, musician, traveler, boater, and infinitely curious)