The Ohio Chapter of the American Planning Association elected Economic Development Administrator Rachel Ray, AICP as its new president.
APA Ohio is the state chapter of the American Planning Association, a non-profit association of citizens and professional planners committed to promoting and enhancing the planning profession. APA Ohio has more than 1,500 members across five (5) geographic sections. As president, Ray provides leadership on the development of APA Ohio policies, facilitates the creation of the organization’s annual work plan and represents the Ohio Chapter on the APA Chapter President’s Council over her two year term.
“Rachel is a phenomenal economic developer and planner with a strong understanding of how planning practices directly impact community vitality and quality of life. She’s a great asset to the City of Dublin and has already proven to be a great leader for APA Ohio,” Colleen Gilger, Economic Development Director, said. “Her passion for good planning – physical, economic and social – aligns perfectly with APA Ohio’s mission to create vibrant communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live.”
APA Ohio sponsors regional and state conferences and supports section-level workshops to provide opportunities for members to network, recognize achievements and exchange ideas.
“I’m honored that my fellow APA Ohio Board members have entrusted me with leading this organization. Having served on the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee since 2013, I’m excited to assume the role of Chapter President in this pivotal time,” Ray said. “I’m looking forward to executing on our recently adopted strategic plan and raising the profile of APA Ohio with partners and decision makers across the state – spreading the word that because we plan, good things happen in our communities.”
Nichole Martin, AICP, Senior Planner with the City’s Division of Planning, is the Director of the Central Ohio Section of APA Ohio.