John has been the Executive Director at the SWMPC since June 2003. He is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). He is about to enter his second decade in the profession. During that time he has planned within a rich diversity of scale and subject matter. He holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Purdue University.
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Marcy Colclough, Senior Planner
Marcy is an experienced Senior Planner who has developed a track record of implementing successful projects for a variety of clients around the Southwest Michigan region. She has a wealth of experience writing master and recreation plans, facilitating planning processes, and developing grants and implementing projects in watershed planning, economic development, and recreation.
Marcy was the project director for the Dowagiac River Watershed Project with the Cass County Conservation District from 1999-2002. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Environmental Studies from Ohio Northern University and a Master of Environmental Science Degree from Miami University, Ohio.
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Kimberly Gallagher, Senior Planner
Insight, passion and experience make Kim Gallagher a dynamic leader and presenter. Ms. Gallagher has the ability to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to build understanding and consensus in complex subject areas. She has significant experience in developing marketing materials, including brochures, website development and interpretive products. Read more
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Suzann Flowers, Associate Planner
Suzann joined the SWMPC staff in 2007 as a graduate student intern from Western Michigan University. Suzann graduated with a Masters Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in local government from Western Michigan University in the summer of 2007 and also holds a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from WMU with a major in political science and a minor in social science.
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Jill Plescher, Geographic Information System Specialist
Jill joined the SWMPC staff in March of 2009. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resources Management from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan with a focus in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and water resources. She went on to acquire a graduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Environmental Monitoring, studying in the fields of remote sensing and GIS technologies. For the past five years, Jill worked in Louisiana as a GIS Analyst for the Federal Government in the area of oil/gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico. She provides the commission with an extensive set of cartographic expertise and GIS skill set.
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Gautam Mani, Associate Planner
Gautam joined the SWMPC staff as an Associate Planner in July 2012. He earned a B.A. in Geography from Macalester College, and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan. Gautam gained transportation experience through his master’s studio, where he worked on a plan to improve public transit along Washtenaw Avenue in the Ann Arbor area. Gautam also gained valuable experience as an intern at Bread for the City, a non-profit in his hometown of Washington DC, where he worked on projects to improve food access among low-income populations. Gautam is a LEED® Green Associate. Gautam’s research interests include the transformative potential of non-motorized activity on neighborhoods, and the strategic location of alternative fuel infrastructure to reduce the harmful impacts of automobiles.
Major program area:
Transportation
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Ryan Soucy, Associate Planner
Ryan joined the SWMPC staff as an Associate Planner in April 2013. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University in 2011 while working at MSU’s Land Policy Institute as a Research Assistant. Ryan’s experience prior to joining the SWMPC team consisted of water quality protection efforts, local planning and zoning, non-motorized facilities planning, and strategic place making to support local economic development. Additionally, Ryan was a contributor on MSU’s A Plan for Agricultural Business in the Greater Lansing Region and a co-author on the Rural Water Quality Protection Guidebook.
Ryan’s primary focus is on the development and maintenance of the Region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
Major program areas:
Community Planning
Economic Development Planning
Contact information:
Email: soucyr@swmpc.org
Phone: (269) 925-1137, Extension 13
Nancy Perry, Business Manager
Nancy joined the staff in April of 2003. Before joining the SWMPC she worked for over thirty years as a staff accountant in the certified public accounting field wherein she dealt with both profit and non-profit organizations. She currently manages and maintains the financial reporting statements, the receivables and payables, the payroll and benefit administration, and monitors the budget.
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Terri Moore, Administrative Assistant
Terri joined the SWMPC in 2004. She assists the director on a wide range of administrative tasks that include the preparation for and organization of SWMPC board meetings, the preparation of minutes, formal resolutions, and other formal board business. Terri is responsible for the Commission's role in the State's single point of contact process where official notice of applications for State grants is distributed for comment throughout our southwest Michigan region. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education from Northern Michigan University.
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Kris Martin, Program Assistant
Kris joined the SWMPC staff in May 2011 as a Program Assistant and will work on environmental and transportation projects, along with watershed projects by providing outreach and education in southwest Michigan. He received his BA in Environmental Policy and Political Science from Michigan State University in 2011. Kris has previous work experience interning with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, specializing on environmental education, as well as with the American Recreation Coalition in Washington D.C., Michigan Environmental Council and SWMPC in 2009 educating homeowners and conducting a survey to create awareness about watershed issues. Kris also completed an AmeriCorps position with the Department of Forestry and Wildlife in Hawaii, where he worked on environmental restoration and protection.
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Debra Panozzo, Mobility Consultant
Debra Panozzo began her career at Southwest Michigan Planning Commission in 1994-1995 when she worked for the Human Resources Commission, the Coordinating Agency monitoring federal and state funds for substance abuse treatment and prevention. She graduated from Western MI University with a focus on Public Administration. She serves as the Berrien County Commissioner, District 7. For the past 12 years she has been the adult and family volunteer coordinator with Volunteer Southwest Michigan. As the mobility consultant she will build connections to enhance transportation in southwest Michigan, especially targeting people who are seniors, have a disability or have low incomes.
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