How did you get interested in planning?
The root of my planning interest lies in growing up in an exurban county that experienced tremendous growth over a very short time. It spawned in me a hatred for strip malls and large lot subdivisions. The interest grew more intense during high school and college where I studied classical architecture and took electives in urban and design studies. While working in Europe I experienced the true definition of livability in cities, I developed a love for all things urban, and an absolute unrelenting will to bring those characteristics to my home.

What kind of work experience do you have?
Most recently I worked as an accounting consultant in Richmond, Va., however due to lack of stimulation I spent my nights and weekends working as a bar manager, it gave me a great opportunity to save money that would later be surrendered to the coffers here at Penn. Prior to that. I worked for Accenture-Germany as a process management consultant in Berlin, Munich, and Prague.

Why did you choose Penn to study city planning?
When searching for graduate planning programs, I had three criteria: 1. The University had to be in an urban setting, 2. The program needed to emphasize the practical aspects of planning rather than the theoretical, and 3. The University and program had to have a long standing productive relationship with the community in which it operated. Penn addressed each of my concerns well and has not disappointed yet.

What has been your favorite class so far?
I'd like to add this after next semester, now I'd have to say Al Parker's Techniques of Spatial Analysis course.

What are your career ambitions?
At the height of my career I hope to work as a policy maker, ideally a city manager in a 1 million plus inhabitant city. Additionally pursuing my interests in growth management through private consulting, serving exurban counties in hopes of stimulating, sustainable, smart growth initiatives through planning and design of the built environment.