Advisory Board

Jason Boal is a Certified Planner (AICP) and Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) in the Salt Lake City offices of the law firm Snell & Wilmer. Previously, he was the Deputy Director of Development Services for Ada County, Idaho. Prior to that, he was the Planning & Building Director in Teton County, Idaho and Victor City, Idaho. He also worked as a Planner in Latah County, Idaho and Heber City, Utah, after getting his start in the planning profession with Epic Engineering P.C. in Heber City, Utah. Jason taught land use courses as an adjunct professor at both Boise State University and the University of Idaho. He has served in several positions of leadership for APA Idaho, most recently he was the Legislative Committee Chair. Jason received a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Systems from Brigham Young University and a Master of Science in Bioregional Planning and Community Design from the University of Idaho. In his spare time Jason enjoys traveling with his family, backpacking, fishing, camping, playing hockey as well as restoring/building cars and motorcycles.

Meagan Booth is a Principal Planner for Salt Lake City. Her previous employment experience includes Farmington City and the City of Holladay, and she enjoys working in the public sector. She interned in Taylorsville City, where she grew up, focusing on neighborhood renovation. In 2015, she graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning. Community participation, urban design, urban ecology, grants, tactical urbanism, open space, trails, recreation, rural communities, and active transportation are some of her interests. As an APA Ambassador, she donates her time, skills, and talents to raise public awareness of planning and promote the profession to students in grades K–12. In 2021, she served as an APA Chapter Delegate, cooperating on zoning reform with planners and lawmakers, and she also participates in the APA Women’s Mentorship Program.

David Rodgers is thrilled to be joining the board of APA Utah as the interim Secretary. David has a degree in Criminal Justice and an MPA from Southern Utah University and has entered the planning profession with interests in public safety and placemaking. David has worked for both Sandy City and Saratoga Springs as a land use planner. David also worked for Salt Lake County Planning and Transportation as the Transportation Program Coordinator. In that role, he works with various agencies around the county on projects that include transit, roads, active transportation, and trail networks.

Mike is the Assistant Director of Community Development in Duchesne County. His experience is in the public and private sector, serving areas along the urban-rural fringe in Utah and Virginia. Mike’s planning specialties include land use planning, master plan development, transportation and transit planning, and stakeholder collaboration. He holds a Master of Science in Bioregional Planning and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Utah State University. He is a native of Alpine, UT.

Tippe Morlan currently works as the Senior/Long Range Planner for the City of Saratoga Springs. She volunteers as the APA Utah Chapter President and the Director of Membership for APA Asian & Pacific Islander Interest Group. With a background in community development, sociology, and resort town planning, she is passionate about the crossover between tourism and planning. She received a BS in Public Policy, Management, and Planning from the University of Southern California, a MS in Sociology from Brigham Young University, and a specialized MBA in Tourism Administration (MTA) from George Washington University. She has worked for Park City, Lehi City, and Eagle Mountain City in the past. When Tippe  is not working, she can usually be found exploring cities around the world.

For inquiries about the APA UT Board or any matters concerning APA UT, feel free to reach out to Nicole via email at admin@apautah.org. She’ll be glad to assist you.

Nicole Masson, a native of Utah, embodies the spirit of versatility and passion in both her professional and personal endeavors. With a steadfast commitment to education, Nicole earned her master’s degree in education, laying the foundation for a fulfilling career as a teacher. Her dedication to nurturing young minds and fostering a love for learning has left an indelible mark on countless students over the years.

Driven by a familial legacy of entrepreneurship, Nicole ventured into the realm of business ownership, successfully managing her own enterprise for several years. This experience not only honed her leadership skills but also instilled in her a profound appreciation for innovation and resilience in the face of challenges.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Nicole is an avid traveler, seizing every opportunity to explore new destinations and immerse herself in diverse cultures. Despite her bustling schedule, she gracefully juggles the responsibilities of parenthood, cherishing her role as a devoted mother to two children.

Nicole’s journey led her to APA UT, where she has thrived over the past two years, contributing her expertise and enthusiasm to the planning field. Embracing the intricacies of the organization, she plays a pivotal role in steering it towards its objectives, all while expanding her knowledge and understanding of urban planning.

With a multifaceted background and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Nicole Masson continues to make a meaningful impact in education, entrepreneurship, and community development, embodying the ethos of lifelong learning and growth.

Email: sahill827@msn.com

Scott A. Hill has exemplified a lifetime of service and dedication to his professional career and
community involvement. Most recently he has been serving on the Saratoga Springs Planning
Commission since 2023. Scott's commitment to urban planning and development is evident. His
decision to relocate from McMinnville, Oregon, with a population of 35,000, in June 2022 indicates a
desire to be closer to his family after retiring from a 37-year banking career in 2015.
During his extensive tenure in the banking sector, he had responsibilities in retail, commercial, and
investment banking, Scott received his BS degree in Business Management from Brigham Young
University. He also exhibited a strong passion for community service, through his volunteer work
with esteemed organizations such as the American Lung Association, United Way, Livable Oregon,
Chamber of Commerce, and various other non-profits. Scott has significantly impacted the
communities he has participated in.
Scott's deep involvement in the McMinnville community is evident through his 29 years on the City
Budget Committee, 12 years on the City Council, 6 years as Mayor, and 6 years on the Water & Light
Commission. This extensive experience has undoubtedly shaped his understanding of local
governance and community development.
In his retirement, Scott has found the freedom to pursue his interests in travel, family, photography,
and church service. Scott is married to Donna, and they have two grown children, with 6
grandchildren. Scott embraces each new adventure with the same vigor that has defined his
impressive career.

Chris Hupp, ENV SP, STP

Chris Hupp is a seasoned project manager leading planning, urban design, visualization, and landscape architecture projects in Psomas’ Salt Lake City office. While at Psomas he has had the opportunity to plan/design over 260,000 acres of land across the Western United States. He is currently affiliated with the Urban Land Institute, Economic Development Corporation of Utah, Utah Alliance, American Society of Landscape Architecture, Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, and the Sustainable Transportation Council. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Urban Ecology, and a master’s degree from the University of Washington in Sustainable Transportation and Livable Communities. Before planning Chris spent nearly a decade and a half in marketing and public engagement. He enjoys hiking, biking, camping, golf, board games, and spending time with his family.

Ted Knowlton is the Deputy Director at the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC.org). Ted is an expert at coordinating transportation, land use, and economic development. Prior to joining WFRC, he worked with the non-profit organization Envision Utah as well as in private consulting. His experience includes efforts in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City that have garnered two prestigious Daniel Burnham awards from the American Planning Association. In Utah, he facilitated the development of Wasatch Choice, the region’s official vision for growth and transportation. Ted has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University, is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah, and is a distinguished Alumni of the College of Architecture + Planning at the University of Utah. He is a past president of APAUtah and serves on the City Council for North Salt Lake City.

Bruce is principal of Planning and Development Services, LLC, Salt Lake City providing various planning services to public and private sector clients located throughout Utah and the West. He is also an instructor of planning courses at the University of Utah, including Small Town and Resort Community Planning. Bruce advises state and local officials on statutory laws affecting planning and development matters and serves as a special projects manager for community (municipalities and counties) general plans and plan implementation. He also provides litigation support and expert witness testimony for public and private sector clients. Bruce serves Utah Chapter – APA as the Chapter’s Professional Development and Ethics Officer.

Wilf Sommerkorn retired as the Director of Regional Planning and Transportation for Salt Lake County in 2019, where he served from 2014. Prior to that, he was Salt Lake City Planning Director from 2008 to 2014, and Director of the Davis County Community & Economic Development Department for 14 years. He was a planner in various positions with that Department from 1981. Wilf has also served as the Community Development Director for Centerville City, and as an adjunct professor of urban planning at the University of Utah, where he taught a class in The Politics of Planning, something every planner should know! Wilf has served as Legislative Chair for the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association since 1990, where he has had a role in writing the state codes regarding land use. He was President of the APA Utah Chapter from 1986 to 1988. Wilf holds a BS in Physical Geography and Geology from the University of Utah, and an MS in Urban Planning from the University of Tennessee. Wilf now works with the non-profit Utah Land Use Institute as Deputy Executive Director, and also does planning consulting work through his firm, Sommerkorn Consulting. He is currently serving on the Kaysville City Planning Commission.

My name is Tanner Visnick, and I am an MCMP student at The University of Utah and the Vice President of the Urbanists at The University of Utah. I graduated with Honors from Montana State University with a B.S. in Snow Science in 2018. I am currently interning with Bike Utah and working on creating an Active Transportation Plan for Ephraim, Utah. Through value-based community engagement with local communities, I want to design cities that reflect the values of their residents, allow for unique place-making, and incorporate innovative transportation solutions. In my free time, I enjoy cycling, skiing, paddle boarding, and running with my energic border collies.

Mackenzie Johnson is the Land Use Planner at the City of North Salt Lake where she guides responsible growth and development. She graduated from the University of Utah in 2020 where she received a Bachelor of Science in Urban Ecology and the Undergraduate Student Special Achievement Award for her graduating class. While obtaining her degree, Mackenzie worked in the construction industry as an Estimating/Project Management Assistant and Project Engineer where she fueled her passion for the built environment. She completed a yearlong internship with Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development in 2019 and has been with North Salt Lake ever since. She is excited to be a significant contributor to the implementation of the City’s Town Center Master Plan and Highway 89 development.

Michael Maloy, AICP, is Planning Director for Herriman City, one of the fastest-growing communities in Utah, and editor of the Utah Planner, the official newsletter for the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association. Michael has more than 20 years of professional planning experience in urban and suburban communities. He has presented at various local and national planning conferences, published numerous articles and book reviews, and mentored dozens of urban planning students. Since 2009, Michael has also been an instructor and guest lecturer within the City & Metropolitan Planning Department at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

spetheram@ffkr.com

Susie Petheram, AICP is a Senior Planner and Associate with FFKR in Salt Lake City, Utah. She enjoys working with communities to implement context-sensitive planning standards that promote sustainable development patterns. Susie helps her clients understand the value of their context and culture in planning for sustainable and resilient futures. Her planning projects focus on the analysis, planning, and design of multi-jurisdictional regions, cities, neighborhoods, downtown districts, historic neighborhoods, and transit station areas. Susie is a Ph.D. candidate in Metropolitan Planning, Policy, and Design at the University of Utah, where she is studying the relationships between transit and neighborhoods.

Area: Morgan, Summit, and Wasatch County

Jamie is the Planning Manager at Heber City and currently serves as the APA-UT Wasatch Back Area Representative. He has previously worked at Saratoga Springs and Provo City. His education includes a B.S. of Urban Planning from the University of Utah and a Post Graduate Diploma from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom.

Areas: Box Elder, Cache, Rich, Weber, and Davis

Email: brianc@brag.utah.gov

Brian Carver is the Community and Economic Development Director for the Bear River Association of Governments. For the past 15 years, he has supported regional and local planning efforts in rural communities of Northern Utah for issues such as capital infrastructure investment, affordable housing, and transportation. Prior to his service with BRAG, Brian worked for the Utah Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, serving as staff to the Utah Quality Growth Commission and assisting with local government planning program development, community outreach, and Geographic Information System support. He earned a degree in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning from Utah State University in 2001. He lives in Hyrum, Utah with his wife Stephanie. They have three children.

Central East: Daggett, Uintah, & Duchesne

mcazier@uintah.utah.gov

Matt Cazier was born and raised in Liberty, Utah. He graduated from Weber High School and then went to college at Weber State University where he obtained a BA in Geography with an urban planning emphasis. Matt has been employed in the planning profession for 19 years. Matt was appointed as the Community Development Director for Uintah County in 2006. Prior to that appointment, he served as the Land Use Planner for the City of Belleville, Illinois, and as an intern for Ogden City. Matt enjoys water skiing, taking care of his yard, cooking, and spending time with his wife and two children.

Southwest: Iron, Garfield, Washington, Kane and Beaver

cchristensen@fivecounty.utah.gov

Cody Christensen is an Associate Planner with the Five County Association of Governments.  He has over 10 years of planning experience in rural communities with both the Uintah Basin AOG and now the Five County AOG.  He grew up in the small town of Mountain Home, Utah, so helping small communities with their planning challenges that he embraces.

Areas: Salt Lake and Tooele County

tayler.jensen@westjordan.utah.gov

Tayler Jensen is a Senior Planner for the City of West Jordan where he currently leads the Station
Area Planning Efforts. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science
from Utah State University and received a Master of Science Degree in Environmental (Town
and Country) Planning from the Queen’s University of Belfast in the North of Ireland.  Before
West Jordan, Tayler worked at Eagle Mountain (twice), Cache County where he served as the
Countywide Planner, Bountiful, as well as interning with Cottonwood Heights. He has also served
on the Midvale Planning Commission. Outside of Planning, he is a dad to two amazing little girls, enjoys English Soccer, International
Rugby, and traveling whenever the opportunity arises.

Areas: Juab, Millard, Sanpete, Sevier, Piute, Wayne

Utah County

pobrien@americanfork.gov

Patrick is the Director of Development Services at American Fork City, Utah, where he
manages the Planning and Zoning, Building, and Economic Development functions for
the City. Patrick is a skilled Public Administrator with experience in managing people,
budgets, and large-scale projects. He has an extensive range of knowledge and
experience in land use and development planning, which has been gained from a
professional career in multiple international planning systems. He has previously
worked as the Housing Manager for the Redevelopment Agency of Midvale City, and
the Planning Enforcement Officer for Bath and North East Somerset Council where he
had the privilege of working within the Bath World Heritage Site and surrounding
conservation district.

Patrick is a Graduate of the professionally accredited Planning and Sustainable
Development Master’s Degree from the Centre for Planning Education and Research in
University College Cork, accredited by both the Royal Town Planning Institute and Irish
Planning Institute. He is also a recipient of an additional Master's Degree at Southern
Utah University from the Public Administration Program.

Areas: Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan

Emails: todd.thorne@carbon.utah.gov

Todd Thorne is the Director of Building and Planning for Carbon County with over 10 years of experience working with rural communities in the eastern and central parts of the State. He enjoys working with small-town planning commissions to help them solve issues that are unique to rural Utah. He has served as the Southeastern Regional Rep since 2019.