Chapter Leadership

Kelly Porter is Assistant Director for City of Fort Worth Transportation and Public Works over the Regional Transportation and Innovation Division. His group is responsible for regional coordination and long-range planning. Before returning home to Fort Worth, Mr. Porter worked for the previous 10 years at the Metropolitan Planning Organizations in Houston and Austin. He is a Certified Planner with over 13 years’ experience with a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Prairie View A&M University. He brings a strong successful track record in regional transportation planning across all modes of transportation, and experience working with external partners and the private sector in developing transportation solutions.

Fred Lopez has over 22 years of urban and regional planning experience, including transportation planning, comprehensive planning. land use, zoning, and code/ordinance updates. Fred oversees Quantum Consultants' urban planning team and previously served as Comprehensive Plan Manager, Transportation Planning Administrator, and Deputy Director for Capital Improvement Department Planning at the City of El Paso. In 2012, he developed and managed the City of El Paso’s first Transportation Planning Division, which led to new street design policies and procedures focused on improving public health by promoting walking, bicycling, and mass transit. Fred has Advanced Specialty Certification in Transportation Planning from the American Planning Association.

• Board of Directors: 2005 – 2008, 2017 – present
• Leadership Academy Chair: 2022 – present
• Section Directors Representative: 2019 – 2021
• Membership Chair: 2017 – 2019
• West Section Director: 2005 – 2008, 2017 – 2019
• El Paso Conference Local Host Committee Chair: 2021 – 2022
• Quantum Consultants: Vice President / Co-owner
  

With nearly a decade of experience as an urban planner in both the public and private sectors, Lauren's expertise shines in comprehensive planning. She excels in analyzing data to create innovative solutions and envisions urban spaces that positively impact residents' lives. An exceptional community engagement practitioner, Lauren organizes inclusive events that foster meaningful connections between residents and stakeholders. She actively reaches out to seldom-heard populations, ensuring their voices are heard and valued in the planning process. As a diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist, Lauren brings a unique perspective that enriches her work, contributing to more equitable cities. In recognition of her dedication to advancing diversity and promoting social change, she received the 2022 Award for Advancing Diversity and Social Change from the Central Texas Section of APA.

Marco Hinojosa was born in Houston, raised in DFW, and currently live in San Antonio. He is currently a senior project associate with MIG, Inc. He has previously served as Secretary for the Southwest Section and the Latinos and Planning Division.

Rolandrea Russell has served one previous term as the Chapter TML Representative. She has worked as a professional planner with the cities of Midland and Allen, Texas. She holds a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Alabama A&M University.

Heather Nick is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Tyler, Texas. She is a certified planner and holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Texas at Tyler. Nick has held several leadership positions within APA, including chapter communications coordinator, secretary of APA Texas as well as professional development officer and director of the East Section of the APA Texas Chapter.

Tharani is a Principal Planner for the City of Arlington. She is a Certified Floodplain Manager and has earned a Dual Masters of Social Work and Urban Affairs and Policy from the University of Texas at Arlington as well as an MBA from the University of the Cumberlands.

Richard has served as PDO for many years and continues to be a valuable resource to Texas planners aspiring to earn their AICP credential. Richard is the Planning Director for the City of Lewisville.

Chelsea has ten years of professional experience, with a majority of that time as a planning consultant. She most recently served as Team Leader for a private consulting firm. She is a certified planner and accomplished project manager. She has led more than 15 long range planning projects across the state. Additionally, she has assisted communities with public engagement, visioning, development codes, and plan review. She received an undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas and a Master of City & Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Arlington. She resides in Leander with her husband and two young children.

Dawn Warrick is an urban planner at Freese and Nichols, Inc. Before joining FNI, she worked for more than 23 years as a public-sector planner, including seven years as the City of Tulsa's planning director. She has served in senior planning roles for the Louisville Metro Government in Kentucky and the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas, giving her an understanding of large urban cities, as well as smaller communities. She taught as an adjunct lecturer for the University of Louisville's Master of Urban Planning program for six years. Dawn has served in APA leadership roles for the Arkansas, Kentucky, and Oklahoma chapters including professional development officer and chapter president. She earned a bachelor's in landscape architecture and a master's in geography from the University of Arkansas. She has been a certified planner since 2002.

Staron Faucher is a Transportation Planner and Project Manager at WSP in Dallas, Texas, specializing in thoroughfare planning, bike and pedestrian studies, corridor redevelopment, and land use analyses - but he is most passionate about advocacy planning and equity. Before joining WSP, Staron was a transportation planner at Freese and Nichols, Inc. and the North Central Texas Council of Governments working Sustainable Development Projects. He received his Master in Regional and City Planning from the University of Oklahoma, and Environmental Studies from Baylor University. Staron is also a member of the American Planning Association's Ethics Committee and the Director of the North Central Section of the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association