MCRP Advisory Council

Lawrence Agu, AICP, Assoc. AIA

Lawrence Agu, III, AICP, Assoc. AIA is the Planning Administrator for the city of Dallas, where he provides strategic leadership, organization, and program management for the Urban Design, Long-Range Planning, and GIS + Data Analytics teams. With experience in both the public and private sectors, he brings insights into shaping resilient communities.

Lawrence holds a Master of City and Regional Planning, a Master of Architecture, and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The University of Texas at Arlington. He is an active member of the American Planning Association (APA) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and he currently serves as Board President of the CityLab High School Foundation.

Michele Berry, AICP

Michele Berry, AICP, is a Senior Planner (part-time) for the City of Lewisville, where she focuses on long-range planning, special projects, and plan implementation. In her role, she helps guide the city’s growth and development through strategic, community-informed planning efforts. Michele is currently contributing to the Lewisville 2035 Vision Plan, a comprehensive roadmap that shapes the city’s long-term goals and priorities.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Geography from Clark University and a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning from The University of Texas at Arlington and is a member of the American Planning Association.

Rachel Bradford, AICP

Rachel Bradford, AICP, is the Director of Planning & Development for Near Southside, Inc., where she leads planning & development activities supporting the continued growth and revitalization of Fort Worth’s Near Southside. Her work focuses on urban development, multimodal connectivity, and fostering vibrant, walkable, mixed-use communities.

Prior to joining Near Southside, Rachel worked in transportation planning across both the public and private sectors, partnering with agencies, municipalities, and community stakeholders to advance solutions that improve access to mobility, strengthen regional connectivity, and enhance quality of life. She holds a MCRP degree and GIS Certificate from the University of Texas at Arlington and a bachelor's degree in Geography and Anthropology from Texas Christian University.

Rachel is active in the planning and transportation community and currently serves as Director-Elect of the APA Texas Midwest Section and Vice Chair and Transportation Committee Co-Chair for Community Design Fort Worth. She also serves on the executive committee of Fort Worth Sister Cities International.

Michael Brennan, AICP

Mike Brennan is Trinity Metro's Vice President of Economic Development, focusing on transit-oriented development, strategic partnerships, and optimizing real estate assets. He collaborates with developers, businesses, local governments, and community stakeholders to drive economic growth and enhance transit-connected communities.

Before Trinity Metro, Brennan was President of Near Southside, Inc., leading the district's transformation through public-private partnerships and notable development projects. He also spent six years with the City of Fort Worth's Planning Department, contributing to long-range planning and redevelopment.

Brennan holds a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master's in Urban Planning from Harvard University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Clayton Comstock, AICP, CNU-A

Clayton Comstock, AICP, CNU-A serves as the Executive Director of Planning & Development for the City of Mansfield, Texas. Clayton also serves as Immediate Past Director of the American Planning Association Texas Chapter’s Midwest Section.

Clayton holds bachelor's degrees in Political Science and History from Christopher Newport University, a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of North Texas, and a graduate certificate in development review from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Congress for the New Urbanism.

Fernando Costa, FAICP

Fernando Costa, FAICP, is Principal of Costa Consulting, where he advises clients on economic and community development projects. Fernando holds degrees in civil engineering—BCE and MSCE—and a Master of City Planning (MCP), all from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

He is deeply engaged in community leadership and has served on numerous governing boards, including Texas Wesleyan University, ACH Child and Family Services, Fort Worth Sister Cities International, Multicultural Alliance, the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Community Land Trust, and Community Design Fort Worth. His advisory board service includes roles with the Historic Northside District, Poly Main Street, Heritage Park, Gateway Park, and Vision North Texas.

Vivian Fung, AICP

Vivian Fung, AICP, is a Senior Planner and Local Area Leader with Olsson, where she has the privilege of partnering with communities across Texas and the nation to conduct comprehensive plans, downtown plans, transportation plans, and other long-range planning efforts that shape the future of communities. She previously spent time in the public sector at the North Central Texas Council of Governments, where she served as a transportation planner.

She holds a master's degree in City and Regional Planning and a GIS Certificate from the University of Texas at Arlington, as well as a bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. Vivian is an AICP-certified planner and a past Board Member for the North-Central Texas Section of the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Emily Liu, FAICP

Emily Liu, FAICP, serves as the Director of the City of Dallas' Planning and Development Department.  Before this role, Ms. Liu spent over a decade as the Planning Director for Louisville Metro Government in Kentucky. Ms. Liu has extensive expertise in urban planning and development, encompassing long-range planning, zoning, development review, transportation, housing, urban design, and historic preservation. Notably, she played a key role in leading Louisville's acclaimed zoning reform initiative, which has been recognized as a model for other cities.

In 2022, she received the planning field's highest honor, becoming the first woman in Kentucky to be inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Most recently, she was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Planning Association.

Ms. Liu holds a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the George Washington University, as well as both a master's and a bachelor's degree from Peking University.

Evelyn Mayo, AICP

Evelyn Mayo, AICP, is is a Community Organizer at the Dallas Housing Coalition, where she organizes grassroots constituencies to advance pro-housing policy reforms. This includes advocating for zoning code changes that advance housing solutions and addressing quality of life concerns for renters in lower income apartment communities in Dallas.

Evelyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from Barnard College, Columbia University, and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from The University of Texas at Arlington.

She has served on the Board of Downwinders at Risk, a local environmental justice nonprofit since 2017, serves on the Board of Commission Shift, the Tenth Street Residential Organization and is a Co-Founder of RAYO Planning.

Paris Rutherford

Paris Rutherford is a Principal of Catalyst Urban Development, a Dallas-based, vertically-integrated real estate company engaged in the planning, finance, development, construction, asset and property management of mixed-use and urban infill projects. In this role, Paris is responsible for shaping Catalyst’s long-term strategic direction, managing its development operations and guiding its consultancy practice; all with a focus on creating vibrant, economically competitive, and community-centered walkable places.

Paris is deeply engaged in professional and academic leadership, currently serving as Chair of the Urban Land Institute’s Mixed-Use Product Council and Director of the Harvard Club of Dallas. Previously, Paris was Director of RTKL Associates serving as its Sector Leader for the global planning and urban design practice, was Chair of the Greater Dallas Planning Council’s Urban Design Task Force, was Council Member of the Harvard GSD Alumni Council and Co-Chair of its Student/Alumni Exchange Committee, was Council Member of the UTA CAPPA Advisory Council, and Adjunct Faculty Member in Sustainable Development at SMU University.

Vince Tam, AIA, AICP

Vince Tam, AIA, AICP, is the Section Manager of the HNTB Urban Design and Planning Studio based in Dallas, Texas. As a licensed architect and certified planner, her experience centers on the urban design aspects of complex mixed-use development and transportation projects. Her current role as the Customer Experience lead for the $3 billion DART Transform system modernization program shapes how riders' journeys today will impact capital improvements tomorrow. She is also serving as Deputy Project Manager for the first-of-its-kind Texas Triangle Multimodal Strategy Study with TxDOT, leveraging mobility to support Texas' economic growth.

Vince taught a graduate urban planning core class from 2012 to 2021. She received her undergraduate degree in Architecture and dual master's in Architecture and City and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Gincy Thoppil, AICP, CPM

Gincy Thoppil, AICP, CPM, is the Director for the Planning and Development Services Department for the City of Arlington, and has been with the city for more than 20 years. She has all-around experience in comprehensive planning, land development, and building permitting and inspections. She has successfully led public engagement efforts on community-wide planning issues, adoption of urban design codes, and development-focused process improvements. 

Ms Thoppil is a Certified Public Manager and has been recognized by professional organizations such as the American Planning Association for her work. She currently serves as the Vice Chair for the American Planning Association's Housing and Community Development division. She holds a master's degree in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor's degree in Architecture from the University of Mumbai, India.

Karen S. Walz, FAICP

Karen S. Walz, FAICP, is Principal of Strategic Community Solutions, LLC, where she specializes in strategic planning, public engagement, facilitation, comprehensive planning, and plan implementation. Projects include work with City Councils and nonprofit boards, long-range community planning and visioning initiatives, and sustainability and implementation projects.

Karen earned her Bachelor of Science with distinction in Environmental Earth Sciences from Stanford University and a Master of City and Regional Planning from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Savannah Ware, AICP

Savannah Ware, AICP, is the Assistant Director of the Planning and Development Department for the City of Grand Prairie, Texas, where she leads a planning team focused on strategic planning initiatives, efficient development review, and ensuring responsible, high-quality growth.

Savannah holds a Master’s in City and Regional Planning and a Master’s in Public Administration from UTA.

Karla Windsor, AICP

Karla Windsor, AICP, is a Senior Program Manager in the Transportation Department at the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), where she oversees the agency’s Land Use and Mobility Options Program.

Karla’s program areas include active transportation planning, transit-oriented development and mixed-use development strategies, planning studies, context-sensitive roadway design, parking policy, community schools and transportation coordination, economic development, mobility management, and transit operations planning.

She holds dual master’s degrees from Florida State University—a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA).

Karla has also contributed to the profession through multiple leadership roles, including serving as a former Director of the Midwest Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA), a former board member of the Greater Dallas–Fort Worth WTS Chapter, and former Chair of the TxDOT State Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).

Ann Zadeh, AICP

Ann Zadeh, AICP, is the Executive Director of Community Design Fort Worth. She is a certified planning professional and has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to improving her community. Professionally, this has taken the form of serving as a Planning Consultant, six years on the Fort Worth Zoning Commission, and subsequently serving on the Fort Worth City Council representing District 9 for seven years.

She acquired a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Still, she completed her Master's in City and Regional Planning at the University of Texas at Arlington, and has been a committed and passionate advocate for the city and its people ever since.