Jason Johnston, PE and Trevor Copple recently joined R&M Consultants, Inc. Jason is a Senior Project Engineer in the firm’s Surface Transportation Group, where he will provide planning, design, and construction administration services for civil and transportation infrastructure projects across Alaska. Trevor is an Environmental Geologist in the firm’s Geosciences Group, where he supports environmental and geotechnical investigations.
Dave Whitfield joined R&M CONSULTANTS, INC. (R&M) as a Senior Planner in the firm’s newly established Land Development Group.
Dave brings more than 20 years of land use planning experience to R&M, most recently serving as the Planning and Zoning Manager and Platting Officer for the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA). His background includes expertise in land use planning, subdivision and platting, code analysis, private development, and code compliance and implementation for public and private sector projects. Dave also specializes in community and economic development through comprehensive review of local and regional projects, including site planning, subdivisions, conditional uses, variances and the dedication of public facilities such as new roadways. He is a regular presenter on development projects to agencies, community councils and stakeholder groups.
This year’s Legislative Fly-In brought 11 participants to Juneau from February 24-26 for three days of productive meetings. Attendees engaged with the DOT&PF commissioner’s office, the Governor’s office, and 34 legislators, advocating for key issues including the STIP, education funding, the capital and operating budget, residential building codes, and AELS sunset/registration for interior designers. The STIP approval process, education funding, and the budget deficit were top concerns for legislators this year. Encouragingly, APDC’s positions received broad support, with minimal opposition. The event fostered meaningful discussions, and we remain optimistic about positive outcomes and progress in the coming months.
A highlight of the event was the release of ASCE’s 2025 Report Card for Alaska’s Infrastructure, held at the Capitol and livestreamed by KTOO. This is the culmination of work by ASCE Alaska-Section members, which featured comprehensive assessments highlighting some of the major issues, recommendations, and improvements since the release of 2021 Report Card. The 2025 Report Card is available at: infrastructurereportcard.org/Alaska.
We look forward to continued engagement and advocacy over the coming months as the legislative session progresses.
Lauren Jennings, CESCL joins R&M CONSULTANTS, INC. (R&M) as an Environmental Specialist in the firm’s Earth Sciences Department. In this position, Lauren will be responsible for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) impact analysis and document preparation, regulatory permitting, environmental field surveys (invasive species, wetlands, eagle nests, etc.), storm water management, and other related office and field-based environmental services as needed.
To read the full press release from R&M, click here.
The Alaska Chapter of ASLA will host their awards presentation at the Anchorage Museum’s Seed Lab on Thursday February 20, 2025 from 5-7pm, in conjunction with Anchorage Design Week’s “City Nerd Nite”. To learn more about this free event, and reserve your spot, click here. There will also be a livestream available on YouTube after the event, for those unable to attend in person.
To learn more about the Anchorage Design Week Events lineup, click here.
Alaska Professional Design Council 