Our People

As executive director of DesignAlabama, Gina handles fundraising, PR and administrative duties. She has an undergraduate degree and MA in public administration from Auburn University.

After spending the first ten years of her career in corporate marketing and advertising, Christina decided to pursue her first passion – plants and design – and obtained her master’s in landscape architecture from Auburn University in 2014. She has since experienced advocating for public space on the national level with The Cultural Landscape Foundation, working in the private sector, managing her own consulting firm, and most recently serving as Deputy Director of Strategic Projects for the City of Birmingham’s Department of Transportation.

Chris’s professional experience comes from healthcare and corporate architecture, and product design industries. In addition, he is principle of DesignForesight, a consulting firm that he established in 2002.

Jeremy serves as the director of the Government & Economic Development Institute at Auburn University. He serves as the chief administrative executive responsible for the total operations of the organization that provides guidance, training, professional development, leadership, community development, research, and civic engagement endeavors across the State of Alabama.

Derick Belden brings a marketing mind and extensive contacts in the real estate and hospitality industries to Design Alabama. Throughout his career, Derick has been passionate about placemaking–first as Executive Editor at Southern Living magazine and then upon launching his own communications firm.

Brandon serves as a certified Community and Regional Planner for GMC. His background includes a wide range of experience with proven expertise in master planning that has an emphasis on place-based design, ecological processes, regional dynamics and smart growth principles. He is grounded by his passion for the unique assets of the communities in which he serves.

Andrew C. Bryant has a “passion for connecting people with people and people with place.” As an architect, he helps individuals and organizations navigate the design process in pursuit of their goals.

Jim Byard, Jr. is the founder of Byard Associates, LLC a firm specializing in business development, community development as well as local government strategy.

Laurie Chapman is a dynamic community leader with over two decades of experience transforming her hometown of Elba, Alabama. As the Executive Director of the Elba and New Brockton Housing Authorities, she takes pride in providing housing for low-income residents in Coffee County. She also is a lover of all things related to downtown redevelopment, she has spearheaded initiatives in historic preservation, economic revitalization, and community engagement.

Callan Childs is the Director of Design and Development for Sloss Real Estate Company. Callan is also an urban planner and licensed architect.

Founder & Chairman, Alabama Civil Rights Tourism Association and the Center for Conservation and Community. Steve is the visionary and co-founder of International Expeditions, one of the first ecotourism companies in the world at its inception in 1980. In 2010, Steve began initiatives to apply the same concepts practiced in ecotourism and sustainable travel to benefit his home state of Alabama, home to some of our nation’s richest Civil Rights history.

Sulynn Creswell is the Executive Director at Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center, serving since April, 2007, having previously served as the Assistant Director/Gallery Manager.

Jeremy Cutts is an Associate with Williams Blackstock Architects in Birmingham, Alabama. There he lends his thoughtful design approach to a variety of project types.

Candice Hill is the Grants & Leadership Director for the St. Clair County Economic Development Council, serving since 2007. Candice holds an MPA and works with all of the county’s municipalities to secure grant funding for projects in industrial and retail development, tourism and community development.

With a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Alabama A&M University, Michelle serves as Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) Executive Director.

Lori Lein is a leading expert in municipal law, Lori served as General Counsel for the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) from 2011 to 2023 following 10 years as Associate Counsel. As General Counsel, she was responsible for providing legal guidance for Alabama’s more than 450 cities and towns. Currently she serves as managing partner for Lein and Associates, LLC.

Based in Mobile, Stephen McNair, Ph.D. is a governmental affairs professional and serves as the Principal for the Delta Policy Group and as an Associate for the Bloom Group. Both firms focus on legislative and policy initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels and economic development consulting.

As a Project Director for Robins & Morton, Richard specializes in applying industry-leading construction management practices to projects in Alabama. Richard partners with state entities, local authorities, and municipalities to oversee projects in all 67 counties.

Stephen is the principal landscape architect in Schoel’s Birmingham office. His career has included a vast array of project types, service on Auburn’s Landscape Architecture Advisory Council, and advocacy for the design professions at the state and national levels.

coming soon

Former Director of Landscape Architecture for Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Cathy taught landscape architecture at Auburn University and worked in Charleston, SC’s revitalization office.

Nancy taught art at Auburn University for 35 years, including four as interim department head. Her work has won numerous awards in regional and national juried shows.

Darrell Meyer, professor/chairman emeritus of the Graduate Program in Planning in Auburn’s School of Architecture, was director of planning at Birmingham’s KPS Group, 1996 -2013.

Theoangelo Perkins is Mayor of the Town of Harpersville, a position he first held from 2004–2016 before returning to office in 2020, and the first African American mayor in Shelby County; he has championed economic development, community amenities, and the creation of a town center. A longtime educator, pastor, entrepreneur, and civic leader, Perkins is also Superintendent of the Harpersville Water System, Owner and Managing Broker of Realty Perks, co-founder and Board President of the Wallace Center for Arts and Reconciliation, and President of the Alabama Conference of Black Mayors.

With 40 years of work and study in city and regional planning, Jeffrey formed Cedar Mountain Associates to provide community planning and research services leading to better human/environmental health.