Upfront Planning Podcast

Meagan Ehlenz, PhD, AICP and Matt Gomez of the Arizona State University School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning join us to talk about the latest school year. What trends do they see in the planning field, new opportunities and things they wish the students knew before registering. Hear what they are doing to build the next level of planning practitioners.

Jessica is joined by Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson to recap all things League fo Arizona Cities and Towns 2024 Conference. Hear how some of the sessions went and what it is like as an elected navigating this fun and eventful conference.

3 Business Owners in Land Development talk shop about being leaders in their field and what it takes to get there and stay there. Hear the stories and trials they each have had and how they juggle the mental load and continue to be amazing in thier field. Nicole Posten-Thompson, RA, Sarah Simpson, PE and Jessica Fitz have a frank conversation about being a business owner, life and being a woman in their fields.

Dorn Policy Group's Tom Dorn and Chandler's Assistant City Attorney Thomas Allen joins the podcast to discuss Arizona Senate Bills 1162 and House Bills 2297 and 2720 and all things housing legeslation.

Current Mayoral Candidate and former Mayor Mesa Scott Smith joins the podcast to talk about the current election and what he sees as the future for Mesa and how he plans to support Mesa for the next 10 years.

Development Services Directors Nana Appiah, PhD, AICP from the City of Mesa and Land Attorney Brennan Ray of Burch & Cracchiolo discuss how deals get done with zoning and land use transactions and how they negotiate the deals to find common ground on stitpulations development agreements and can still remain civil and get along wiht everyone they go up against in cases.

Mesa Mayor John Giles talks with us about how he got on the track to be the Mayor of Mesa what his proudest moments of being Mayor are and what is he going to do after his term is up? He talks about the positions challenges and who has helped him succeed along the way.

Mesa Councilmember and Mayoral Candidate Mark Freeman joins the podcast to talk about his lasting impact as a Mesa native and a first responder to being elected to the City Council and now as a candidate for Mayor. Mark goes over his priorities for Mesa's future and what you can expect from him as continues to serve the citizens of Mesa.