APA Texas Advocacy Workshop

Kimberly Miller, AICP: Ms. Miller, AICP commenced her career at the City of Austin, where she served as the master planner for the redevelopment of Mueller Austin. In New York City, she spearheaded the development of a plan for the Brooklyn Waterfront that resulted in the establishment of a multimillion-dollar … Read More

Kimberly Miller, AICP: Ms. Miller, AICP commenced her career at the City of Austin, where she served as the master planner for the redevelopment of Mueller Austin. In New York City, she spearheaded the development of a plan for the Brooklyn Waterfront that resulted in the establishment of a multimillion-dollar greenway. Following the 9/11 tragedy, Miller contributed to the recovery effort by supporting region-wide initiatives aimed at engaging the public in envisioning the City's future. After Hurricane Katrina, Ms. Miller relocated to the Gulf Coast to enhance the capacity of local organizations involved in the recovery process. Since joining Halff in 2019, Miller has been collaborating with planners, landscape architects, and engineers to promote resilience, helping communities grow more sustainably while mitigating hazards, assessing, and adapting to floods. Her team spans Florida to Texas, and they are currently involved in the development of several regional flood planning efforts with the Texas General Land Office (GLO). Read Less

Karen Walz, FAICP: Karen S. Walz FAICP is the Principal in Strategic Community Solutions LLC, a professional consulting firm that helps clients build successful and sustainable communities. Ms. Walz has over 45 years of experience in strategic planning, public engagement, facilitation, comprehensive planning and plan implementation. Her work experience includes … Read More

Karen Walz, FAICP: Karen S. Walz FAICP is the Principal in Strategic Community Solutions LLC, a professional consulting firm that helps clients build successful and sustainable communities. Ms. Walz has over 45 years of experience in strategic planning, public engagement, facilitation, comprehensive planning and plan implementation. Her work experience includes East and West coast communities, as well as Texas, the Midwest and Western U.S. Clients include cities, counties, metropolitan regions and non-profit organizations. Client communities range from towns of a few thousand people to cities with over one million residents and counties covering 13,000 square miles. Ms. Walz served as the Project Manager for “Vision North Texas”, a coalition of private, public and non-profit organizations carrying out a regional visioning initiative for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Karen S. Walz received a Bachelor of Science degree 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. Karen Walz was inducted as a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners in 2006. Ms. Walz’ work has been recognized by numerous awards and commendations. Read Less

Chris J. Sanchez is a legislative professional with over 16 years of experience in Texas politics and has completed nine legislative sessions. Sanchez currently serves as a Senior Partner and co-owner of Salient Strategies, a full-service government affairs firm based in Austin, Texas. During his career, he has accumulated experience … Read More

Chris J. Sanchez is a legislative professional with over 16 years of experience in Texas politics and has completed nine legislative sessions. Sanchez currently serves as a Senior Partner and co-owner of Salient Strategies, a full-service government affairs firm based in Austin, Texas. During his career, he has accumulated experience in some of the most senior levels of government in Texas, including with the former Chairman of the prestigious Sunset Advisory Commission and a House Appropriations subcommittee Chairman. Sanchez has passed legislation that has impacted some of the most critical industries in Texas, including transportation, cybersecurity, and health care. The relationships he has cultivated through his legislative successes have made him well-known amongst policymakers and Capitol insiders. Additionally, he has been involved in grassroots political activities for over a decade and has a strong background in political messaging and fundraising. Originally from Alvin, Texas, Sanchez has resided in Austin since 2002 and is a 2006 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where he received a degree in Government. Read Less

Craig Farmer, FAICP is president of Municipal Planning Services, LLC, consulting with numerous cities, counties, councils of governments and metropolitan planning organizations in Texas. Previously, he managed planning, public works, engineering, storm water, building inspection and transportation departments in the cities of Lubbock, Carrollton, Grand Prairie, McAllen, and Weatherford. He … Read More

Craig Farmer, FAICP is president of Municipal Planning Services, LLC, consulting with numerous cities, counties, councils of governments and metropolitan planning organizations in Texas. Previously, he managed planning, public works, engineering, storm water, building inspection and transportation departments in the cities of Lubbock, Carrollton, Grand Prairie, McAllen, and Weatherford. He also was a consultant with the firms of Freese and Nichols, Inc., Dunkin Sefko, Mitchell Planning Group, LLC and City Hall Essentials, LLC. He is a Fellow in the College of the American Institute of Certified Planners, served on the National Board of Directors of the American Planning Association (APA) and the Board of Directors of the Texas Municipal League. Eighteen of his projects won Texas Planning awards including comprehensive plans, downtown plans, zoning and subdivision ordinances, and redevelopment projects. Economic development experience includes nine Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones, eight Public Improvement Districts, and significant involvement in the SpaceX Industrial Park in McGregor, Lone Star Horse Racing Park, and the Texas Trust CU (former Verizon) Performing Arts Theatre in Grand Prairie and the $500+ million Overton redevelopment project adjacent to Texas Tech University. In 2019, APATX named him a “Legend in Texas Planning.” Craig holds a Bachelor-of-Business Administration from The University of Texas and a Master-of-Urban and Regional Planning from Texas A&M University. Read Less