Washington, D.C. – The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) will induct urban planner Graham Billingsley, FAICP, of Boulder into the elite membership of AICP’s College of Fellows at a black-tie ceremony Saturday, April 10, being held in conjunction with the American Planning Association’s (APA) 2010 National Planning Conference in New Orleans.
“The AICP College of Fellows recognizes individuals who've made exceptional contributions to the planning profession,” said AICP President Paul Inghram, AICP. “The Fellows have devoted their careers to excellence in planning and they set the highest standards for professional planners today,” he added.
Election to the Fellowship may be granted to planners who have been longtime members of AICP and have demonstrated excellence whether in professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research or community service and leadership. Altogether 37 planners from 22 states will be inducted into the AICP College of Fellows at the ceremony, which will be held at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.
All planners who have been certified by AICP use the letters “AICP” after their name. Fellows, however, are designated with the letters “FAICP.” Currently, more than 15,000 practicing urban and rural planners in North America and elsewhere have AICP certification. Of those, approximately 425 have been named Fellows.
Characterized by colleagues as a Titan of the planning profession, Graham Billingsley is being recognized as a Fellow for his community service and leadership. During his more than 30 years as a professional planner, he has delved into issues others considered too big, controversial or complex.
Billingsley, the principal with Billingsley Consultants in Boulder, made it his goal when elected AICP President in 2007 to implement a mandatory continuing education program for all professional planners with the AICP credential. A contentious issue among members, he traveled to 23 different APA chapter meetings as AICP President to talk to thousands of members about the program and elicit their suggestions. The program was successfully launched in 2008.
In addition to his contributions to the profession nationally, he implemented a model land use and preservation program in Boulder County while planning director there from 1989 to 2008. Former Boulder County Commission Ron Stewart commented that Billingsley’s “tireless work to implement a managed growth vision has made a significant difference in Boulder County, Colorado, to the benefit of all residents.”
AICP is the professional institute of APA. For more than 80 years, AICP has promoted professional excellence in the field of planning by setting high standards for competence, education, experience and ethical conduct, and by articulating the future of the planning profession.
The 2010 National Planning Conference is being held April 10-13 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. For more information about the AICP College of Fellows visit http://www.planning.org/faicp and for more information about the 2010 National Planning Conference visit http://www.planning.org/conference
The American Planning Association is an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that provides leadership in the development of vital communities. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning -- physical, economic and social -- so as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Ill. For more information, visit www.planning.org.
Graham Billingsley contributed a chapter to the recently published RLUIPA Reader: Religious Land Uses, Zoning and the Courts jointly published by the ABA and APA. The book provides background on the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act which passed Congress in 2000. Much of the book deals with litigation from both the perspective of the church and local communities. Graham's chapter covers what local communities should do in the comprehensive plans and land use codes to avoid problems with the act, or to at least put themselves in a strong position should litigation occur.