Board Executive Committee

  • President

    Ruben Landa is an experienced and accomplished leader in the architecture, engineering and construction industry with more than 23 years of experience in public involvement, public affairs, planning and diversity program management. His career includes time with STV Incorporated, HDR Inc., the Texas State Senate, K Strategies Group and now with WSP USA, Inc., where he is the senior communications manager for the Texas/Mountain Region. A proud native Texan, Ruben has earned Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in political science from Sam Houston State University.

  • At Large

    Mike Grace is the founding principal of Metro Development Consulting with 15+ years of experience in government, land development, planning and public policy. In 2014, he participated in New Cities Summit and was one of 50 individuals selected worldwide to participate in The Purpose City. Additionally, he was the Partnership Award honoree at the 2016 Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference, and he is a D Academy Fellow (2013-2014), a leadership academy managed and underwritten by D Magazine. Mr. Grace received a Masters of Regional/City Planning, a Bachelor of Arts & Science in Geography, and an Economic Development Certificate from the University of Oklahoma.

  • Past President

    Brian is Director of Urban Design and Planning for JHP. He brings a passion for place-making, creating communities, and visioning of neighborhood redevelopments which emphasize diversity and sustainable over time. As a dedicated advocate for “Good Urbanism” his endeavors to infuse these planning principles into all his projects and efforts.Brian has more than 25-years of extensive mixed-use, urban redevelopment and master planning experience. His professional experience having been centered on urban design and planning, lead to a desire to create both livable communities and great urban spaces. Brian has served as the Chair of GDPC Urban Design Awards 2014, 2015 and 2016.

  • Treasurer

    Nikki Simon is the President of Simon Engineering & Consulting, Inc., a civil engineering planning and design firm. With over 28 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of civil infrastructure projects, Nikki’s achievements have played a major role in transportation projects throughout the DFW Metroplex, including projects for the City of Dallas, NTTA, TxDOT, DART and Trinity Metro.

    Nikki has a passion for improving the livability of underserved communities, which drives the service she provides to her profession and community. Nikki is a former President of the Greater DFW Chapter of WTS, an organization committed to the advancement of women in transportation; a past Board Member for the City of Frisco Parks and Recreation Department; a past President of Frisco Sunrise Rotary Club; and a past President and current Board Member of Interlink North Texas, an organization focused on developing tomorrow’s workforce by bridging the gap between industry and education.

  • Secretary

    Cristina Criado is a practicing civil engineer, has over 29 years of experience in Civil Engineering Design in Texas. Cristina earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. Cristina founded Criado & Associates in 2001, where she leads as President and CEO. Criado & Associates is a successful Woman-Owned, Minority, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and successfully operates as a full-service Civil Engineering, Land Surveying, Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE), Right of Way (ROW), and Construction Administration Services Firm, providing quality consulting services to the public sector in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Criado has actively participated in a wide variety of contracts serving local clients, including but not limited to Dallas Water Utilities, City of Dallas Public Works Department, City of Arlington, City of Fort Worth, City of Keller, Texas Department of Transportation, DFW International Airport, North Texas Municipal Water District and Fort Worth Water.

  • VP Membership

    Vince Tam, AIA, AICP, is an urban designer, architect, urban planner, and educator. Tam leads as the Section Manager of the HNTB North Texas Planning and Urban Design Studio. She has dedicated her career to designing cities for people and creating authentic places. She believes that through community engagement and an inclusive design process, large-scale developments and infrastructure can be more resilient in the face of rapidly changing markets. With over ten years of experience on domestic and international projects, her diverse portfolio spans from residential architecture, community revitalization plan, sports and entertainment master plan to large-scale infrastructure and transit projects. Her recent projects include Southern Gateway Public Green deck park, Downtown Dallas DART D2 Urban Design, Park for Floral Farms in Southern Dallas, and Houston Wheeler Intermodal Transit Center.

  • At Large

    Peter is an Architect based in Dallas, Texas, specializing in aviation and transportation architecture and urban planning. He provides leadership guidance on transportation projects and commercial development nationally, including urban mixed-use projects, airport and transit-oriented developments and commercial office design. Peter is also actively involved at the local level, addressing urban design and transportation challenges in and around Dallas. Peter is engaged through several different professional organizations, including the Greater Dallas Planning Council, as an Executive Committee board member at-large and served as the Chair of GDPC Urban Design Awards 2019, 2020 and 2021. Peter is currently Vice President of Programs with the Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and has served as Director of Education in 2021 and 2017, Chair of Historic Resources, and Vice-Chair for Architecture Matters. Peter is actively involved with Communities by Design and Public Policy and leads the AIA Dallas DART D2 Design Advisory Committee.

  • At Large

    Carmen García launched her new company in December of 2020, ABRAC, LLC and serves as President. ABRAC, a Business Relations Advisory Company, will focus on advocating for the growth and inclusion of minority business enterprises with providing professional services in the areas of public involvement, community engagement, government relations and diversity & inclusion. Previously, she was the Assistant Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion and Outreach Programs for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) after serving 12 years at the Agency. She directed the agency’s minority outreach program for minority contracts and D/M/WBE vendors. She developed strategic partnerships and served as a liaison to major chambers representing minorities, women and small business enterprises to enhance economic opportunities. Prior to joining DART, Carmen spent seven years with the State Fair of Texas as the director of community affairs responsible for the Fair’s Speakers Bureau and special events. Additionally, she is active in a broad spectrum of national, state and local diverse organizations. The Houston native graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a degree in public administration.

  • VP of Issues

    David is a Senior Landscape Architect and Urban Designer for BGE, Inc. with over 40 years of experience in the DFW market. He thrives on teamwork and collaboration with a goal of enhancing the public realm. In anticipation of DFW continued urbanization, David believes Urban Design will be a vital determinate of regional growth, viability, and quality of life. David has served at all levels of leadership with the Texas Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, as a GDPC Board Member, as GDPC Urban Design Task Force Chair and on the GDPC Urban Design Awards Committee.

  • VP Programs

    David Alexander is a communications and public involvement professional at WSP USA. He is a multidisciplinary leader who marshals technical analysis and team-based collaboration aimed at delivering sophisticated communications and stakeholder engagement solutions. He is adept at developing public involvement and public education campaigns to improve the quality of life of stakeholders. David has created comprehensive communications and public involvement strategies, as well as managed public affairs initiatives, grassroots recruitment, agency trainings, and high-quality collateral materials. David also effectively builds strong coalitions and nurtures stakeholder relationships. His recent projects include the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Master Plan, LBJ- 635 East, and DART Silver Line.

  • At Large

    Ross Kahn is a detailed oriented and data-driven Transportation Planner with extensive experience in varied transportation planning and traffic engineering studies. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with diverse clients, such as architects, zoning consultants, developers, engineers, state agencies, and city staff. Ross is fervently committed to advancing mobility in communities, working towards the creation of safe environments that accommodate all users, regardless of their chosen mode of travel.

    Currently, Ross holds the position of chair for the Urban Design Awards. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Community Development and his Master's in Regional Planning from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

  • At Large

  • At Large

    Tony is a Principal with Huitt-Zollars providing leadership to a Dallas-based team in the public works, transportation, and land development markets. His background of extensive experience in these areas locally, across Texas and a other states helps others with project execution, staff development and firm management. In addition to serving on the GDPC Board, he also serves on the boards of the North Dallas Chamber and the North Texas Commission. He brings a passion for enhancing the long term growth of our community and region through sustainable practices, investments in infrastructure, and balanced development strategies.

  • VP of Marketing & Communication

    Gair Abbud is passionate about people and creating engaging communities. As a Planner with Pape-Dawson Engineers, his objective is to develop and enhance relationships through meaningful and thoughtful design solutions. Gair is a big believer in volunteering and giving back to the community. He also believes that the Metroplex could be the best metropolitan area in our country. He’s a graduate from Texas Tech University and Universidade de Sao Paulo. Above all, he’s a proud Texan at heart.

Board of Directors

  • Gair Abbud

    Pape-Dawson Engineers

  • David Alexander

    WSP

  • Bud Beene

    Parsons

  • Andrew Bennett

    BOKA-Powell

  • Michael Boykin

    Kirksey Architecture

  • Tanya Brooks

    DART, AVP Capital Planning

  • Manuel Calderon

    Jacobs

  • Michael Carleton

    Michael Carleton & Associates, Inc.

  • Yang Chen

    Perkins & Will

  • Matt Craig

    Halff Associates, Inc.

  • Cristina Criado

    Criado & Associates, Inc

  • Peter Darby

    Urban Darby Architecture

  • Chuck DeShazo

    DeShazo Group

  • Brian Diggs

    Web Apps America, LLC.

  • Kim Dresdner

    Gensler

  • Carmen García

    ABRAC, LLC

  • Santosh George

    Complete Landsculpture

  • Michael Grace

    City of Ferris

  • Tom Grant

    Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

  • Jack Gryczynski

    JHP Architecture / Urban Design

  • Leah Hales

    Land Design

  • Zoe Halfmann

    Dallas Regional Chamber

  • Barry Hand

    Gensler

  • Marvin Jackson

    Archer Western

  • Ross Kahn

    CSRS Inc.

  • Brian Keith

    JHP Architecture/Urban Design

  • Hamza Khan

    Kimley-Horn

  • Ruben Landa

    WSP

  • Brian Moore

    GFF Planning

  • Sef Okoth

    City of Dallas - Urban Design & Planning

  • Catherine Osborn

    AECOM

  • Josh Peterman

    Fehr & Peers

  • David Preziosi, FAICP

    Texas Historical Foundation

  • Doug Prude

    Downtown Dallas Inc.

  • Smitha Radhakrishnan

    DFW International Airport

  • Dave Rendon

    Bovay Engineers, Inc.

  • David Retzsch

    BGE Planning + Landscape Architecture

  • Madeline Shepherd

    Burns & McDonnell

  • Nikki Simon

    Simon Engineering & Consulting, Inc.

  • Tony Sosebee

    Huitt-Zollars

  • Kevin Spath

    City of Dallas, Office of Economic Development

  • Sana Syed

    Allyn Media

  • Vince Tam

    HNTB Corp.

  • Ryan Waters

    Pape-Dawson Engineers

  • Adrienne Williams

    McCarthy Building Companies

  • Greg Witte

    CivTech

  • Collin Yarbrough

    SMU PhD Student

  • Colleen Zwiebel

    Arup

GDPC STAFF

The Greater Dallas Planning Council is managed by a staff of professionals at The TransSynergy Group engaged on a fractional basis to oversee administration of GDPC. They are available to answer questions about GDPC and help members with registration and website logins during regular business hours. Call 214-445-6397 and leave a message. You will be called back within a business day or sooner. If you prefer e-mail, you can e-mail the office at gdpc@gdpc.org. You will receive a response within a business day or sooner. 

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