A Panel Discussion on Rural Planning

I have served the City of Rio Grande City since 2005 until present day. Serving as a Planning Director, Development Planner, Code Enforcement Officer, 911 Coordinator, City Health Official, Historic Preservation Officer (Certified Local Government, CLG), Building Inspector,Coordinator of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Coordinator of the Historic Preservation Commission, … Read More

I have served the City of Rio Grande City since 2005 until present day. Serving as a Planning Director, Development Planner, Code Enforcement Officer, 911 Coordinator, City Health Official, Historic Preservation Officer (Certified Local Government, CLG), Building Inspector,Coordinator of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Coordinator of the Historic Preservation Commission, Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA). Director responsible for the supervision of the building permits, Code Enforcement, Health, Building and Nuisance abatement inspectors and inspections. President of the South Texas Solid Waste Management Committee of STDC. Vice-President of the Greater Chamber of Commerce. Member of the Valley Building Officials Association, Texas Environmental Health Association and the American Planning Association. Read Less

Emily is employed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Working on Wellness Environments (WOW-E) team, funded in part by the CDC High Obesity Program 1809 grant. The work she focuses on includes conducting community assessments in both urban and rural contexts and providing evidence-based tools and data to inform decision-making and … Read More

Emily is employed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Working on Wellness Environments (WOW-E) team, funded in part by the CDC High Obesity Program 1809 grant. The work she focuses on includes conducting community assessments in both urban and rural contexts and providing evidence-based tools and data to inform decision-making and development processes. The vast majority of the communities she works in are along the Texas-Mexico border. The projects center around public engagement, equity, and policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) efforts to best impact locally-driven community health improvements. These improvements may be accomplished through long-range plans, park activation, and connectivity and mobility solutions. The deliverables are often in the form of comprehensive plans, walkability plans, park activation plans, pilot-tested demonstrations, and grant writing assistance. Read Less

Dr. Walker has an extensive background in park & recreation administration, environmental psychology, citizen input, park planning & policy. She enjoys assisting local advocates in implementing evidence-based & locally driven practices to support strong parks, connectivity, & open spaces. She currently leads the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's Department of Recreation, … Read More

Dr. Walker has an extensive background in park & recreation administration, environmental psychology, citizen input, park planning & policy. She enjoys assisting local advocates in implementing evidence-based & locally driven practices to support strong parks, connectivity, & open spaces. She currently leads the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences Urban &Municipal Parks Extension outreach program that offers technical assistance, facilitation, and continuing education to empower community leaders, boards, park practitioners, and volunteers across Texas. Extension team members work with leaders & citizens to identify their local assets & link them to the relevant tools necessary for them to develop feasible and locally driven plans, programs, parks, and places that contribute to their community's overall health, economy, and green infrastructure. She is also currently the PI for AgriLife Extension’s Working on Wellness Environments program—a Policy, System, and Environmental approach to locally designed healthy communities. Read Less

Ann Cooke Bagley, FAICP, is a professional planner with over 35 years of experience working with small to medium size cities on long range plans, area plans, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and park plans. Ann holds a BA in City and Regional Planning and MA in Geography, City and Regional … Read More

Ann Cooke Bagley, FAICP, is a professional planner with over 35 years of experience working with small to medium size cities on long range plans, area plans, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and park plans. Ann holds a BA in City and Regional Planning and MA in Geography, City and Regional Planning Option from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette. She worked for the Cities of Sugar Land and Houston as a planner. As a consultant with a large national firm, she guided comprehensive plans and ordinances for cities in Texas, New Mexico, and Arkansas. In 2016 she formed Bagley Associates LLC to continue to assist smaller communities in their planning efforts. From late 2005 to 2015, Ann served as the Dallas City Plan Commissioner for District 7. She currently serves on Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee. She served two terms on the national board of directors of the American Planning Association as a Board Member Elected at Large from 2010 through 2017. She was twice chair of the national awards committee and instrumental in the rejuvenation of the Planning Foundation. She also was on the Planning Officials Committee of the American Planning Association. Ann was inducted into the American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows in 2010. From 2009 to 2021 Ann served as the Planning Official Development Officer for Texas APA and coordinator of the Short Course for Elected and Appointed Officials. She has made numerous presentations on ethics, zoning, and other aspects of planning to planners, planning and zoning commissioners, and elected officials at local, state, and national conferences. Read Less

Joe has extensive experience in city and county government. He serves as the Planning Director for the City of Roma. Previously in his career, he was the Assistant Planning Director in Mission, Texas, and was a Subdivision Officer in Starr County. The City of Roma recently adopted a Comprehensive City … Read More

Joe has extensive experience in city and county government. He serves as the Planning Director for the City of Roma. Previously in his career, he was the Assistant Planning Director in Mission, Texas, and was a Subdivision Officer in Starr County. The City of Roma recently adopted a Comprehensive City Plan and a Parks Master Plan. Joe is engaged in the community as a member of the Lions Club and local Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Texas Flood Manager Association. Read Less

Placido has worked for the City of Eagle Pass for six years which includes two years in his current role as Planning Director. He graduated from the University of Incarnate Word with a Masters in Business Administration. Placido is a native of Eagle Pass and has a passion for helping … Read More

Placido has worked for the City of Eagle Pass for six years which includes two years in his current role as Planning Director. He graduated from the University of Incarnate Word with a Masters in Business Administration. Placido is a native of Eagle Pass and has a passion for helping his community. He is currently focusing on zoning reform to offer alternative modes of transportation, improved connectivity and housing affordability. Outside of work he enjoys visiting parks with his wife and two children and has interests in investing and personal finance. Read Less