2021 Western Planner Awards

The winners of the 2021 Western Planner Awards were announced and awarded during the Western States Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, August 22nd. A sincere congratulations to each of our award winners, for their efforts and achievements for planning in the West.

Planning Team of the Year

Jim Strozier of Consensus Planning accepts the Kenneth G. Waido Planning Team of the Year award on behalf of the Bernalillo County Tiny Home Village Project Team.

President's Award

Nicolas Green, City Manager of John Day, accepts the President’s Award on behalf of the John Day Innovation Gateway Integrated Planning Team

Sheldon D. Gerber Merit Award

Matt Ashby of Ayres accepts the Sheldon D. Gerber Award for Excellence in Environmental Planning on behalf of CarlyAnn Carruthers. Matt and his team were deeply involved in the Sinks Canyon Master Plan which CarlyAnn was recognized for.

Student Planning Award

Northern Arizona University student stands with Professor Margo Wheeler, who helped oversee the winning project.

Student Planning Project: Runner-up

In a rare acknowledged runner-up, Chelsea Gieryic from the University of Colorado Denver is acknowledged for her group’s work on Envisioning an Alternative Future for Valmont Power Plant.

Lester Award

Angela Parker, AICP receives her hard-earned Lester Award.

Planner of the Year Award
Tyler Sinclair—Jackson, Wyoming

Rural Innovation Award
St. George, Alaska and Ecoplan International, for The Project, Rebuilding Our Future - Kayutuuxtxin Tanagnangin Igayuusalix Angaglimchin Agnaxtxichin

Sheldon Gerber Award for Excellence in Environmental Planning
CarlyAnn Carruthers—Wyoming State Parks, for The Sinks Canyon Master Plan



Student Planning Project of the Year
Northern Arizona University Planning Students for The Meadows Affordable Housing

Runner-up: Chelsea Gieryic and Ali Pfenninger, University of Colorado, Denver for Envisioning an Alternative Future for Valmont Power Plant

Citizen Planner Award
Rocky Schneider—Fargo, North Dakota

Kenneth G. Waido Planning Team of the Year Award
Bernalillo County, Tiny Home Village Project Team

Stan Steadman Article of the Year Award
Cole Grisham, AICP for the article: Five Planning Ideas For The Oregon Coast Trail

President’s Award
John Day Innovation Gateway Integrated Planning Team

Lester Award
Angela Parker, AICP for having been booted in the past, but still being the sole of Western Planner