Chapter Leadership
Board Responsibilities
The Board is responsible for organizing TAPA events, such as local planning conferences, awards ceremonies, social happy hours, volunteer opportunities, and CM & AICP training. The board also promotes planning in the community and encourages professional development within the industry.
Terms are two years in duration and require attendance at monthly board meetings and participation in Chapter activities. Elections occurred in 2024 for the January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026 term.
TAPA 2025-2026 Executive Board
Micah Wood, AICP
Micah is the Town Administrator for the Town of Thompson’s Station. Before being elected Vice President in 2023, he served as the Middle Tennessee Section Director from 2016 to 2022. Having more than 18 years of planning experience, he has worked for the Local Planning Assistance Office, the City of Franklin, the City of Columbia, and Volkert, Inc during his career.
Jeffrey Tyndall, AICP
Jeffrey is the Director of the Clarksville Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission.
Susan Steffenhagen, AICP
Susan is an Account Manager for Milepost in Nashville, TN.
Amy Brooks, AICP, CPM
Amy holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree with an emphasis on transportation and land use planning from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Political Science from Maryville College. She is a member of the American Institute for Certified Planners, a nationally. Certified Public Manager and a graduate of East Tennessee Regional Leadership. Prior to her position at Planning, she worked as a researcher for small nonprofits, transit consultant, and as a planner at the regional and local levels in Northern California.
Sam Edwards
Sam is an Attorney and Counselor at Law.
Jessica Harmon
Jessica serves as the Assistant to the City Manager of Kingsport and was a Senior Planner for Kingsport and Bristol. She is also an adjunct instructor for East Tennessee State University. Jessica served as the Chapter Vice President from 2020 to 2022 before being elected President in 2023. She was also the Section Director for the State of Franklin Section from 2012-2016 and has also served as the Chapter Secretary before that.
Coming Soon
Coming Soon
Ian Preston, AICP
Ian manages professional development activities for TAPA’s membership and serves as the CM provider for the Chapter. Ian also distributes resources for individuals preparing for the AICP exam and hosts in-person AICP information sessions at the Chapter’s Spring and Fall conferences. Ian has served as the Professional Development Officer for TAPA since 2022.
Bill Terry, FAICP
Bill is a Planning Consultant.
Rick Gregory, AICP
Rick is the National Legislative Liaison for TAPA.
Section Directors
Cameron Cooper, PLA
Cameron is an Urban Designer and Planner with Kimley-Horn in Memphis, TN. Cameron holds a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture from Mississippi State University, and a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from the University of Memphis.
Ian Preston, AICP
Ian is a Planner for Gresham Smith in downtown Nashville. Ian holds a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Memphis and an Environmental Studies BA from Rhodes College.
Justin Tirsun
Justin is the Vice President of Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise in Chattanooga, TN. Justin holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University, and a Master of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University.
Logan M Engle
Logan is the Director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Elizabethton.
Kiersten Cedeno, AICP
Kiersten is a Planner at Lose Design in Knoxville, TN. Kiersten holds a BFA in Architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design, as well as Master degrees in Community and Regional Planning and Real Estate Development from Clemson University.