Carlisle | Wortman Associates, Inc. participated and presented at the 2025 Planning Michigan Conference in Kalamazoo
Carlisle | Wortman Associates’ Senior Associate Mike Auerbach, AICP participates in the “Demystifying Data Centers for Michigan Communities” panel discussion at this year’s Planning Michigan Conference in Kalamazoo, MI.
Carlisle | Wortman Associates (CWA) were proud sponsors and presenters at this year’s Planning Michigan Conference in Kalamazoo, MI.
The 2025 Planning Michigan Conference, organized by the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP), took place in Kalamazoo from October 22-24, 2025. The event is MAP’s premier annual educational gathering, focusing on planning best practices, professional development, and networking, and it included general sessions, breakouts, and opportunities to earn AICP CM credits. As a proud sponsor, CWA was represented by 14 staff members, ranging from our Past President Dick Carlisle to our newest employee Elijah Daniels. We enjoyed seeing and speaking with clients, students and planners from across Michigan at the CWA booth in the Exhibitor Hall.
Our Mike Auerbach, AICP was the only planner included on a panel discussion entitled, "Demystifying Data Centers for Michigan Communities.” The conversation covered how Michigan communities face complex trade-offs as data centers are proposed across the state.
CWA Associate Michelle Marin, AICP and Principal Megan Masson-Minock, AICP led a very well attended session on "How to Streamline the Development Process.”
CWA President Ben Carlisle, AICP, LEED-AP introduced Tocarra Nicole Thomas, Assistant Vice President from Smart Growth America as the Luncheon Keynote Speaker. We were sponsors of the Keynote Luncheon as well.
Carlisle | Wortman Associates’ Community Planner Joe Pezzotti at this year’s Planning Michigan Conference in Kalamazoo, MI.
Carlisle | Wortman Associates’ Principal Megan Masson-Minock, AICP presents at this year’s Planning Michigan Conference in Kalamazoo, MI.
The 2025 Michigan Association of Planning (MAP) Conference awards were honored at the event
At the Awards Banquet, our firm was honored with three Excellence Awards: Hana's Garden in Oxford Township for Grassroots Initiative, Big Beaver Road in Troy for Implementation, and Rebuilding Berkley's Zoning Ordinance for Public Outreach.
Principals John Enos, Vice President, AICP and Megan Masson-Minock, AICP proudly introduced our partner award winners, the City of Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa and the Sharon Township Planning Commission Chair Pat Kelly. Joseph Kuspa received the “Planning Advocate” Award and Pat Kelly was awarded the “Helen S. Willis Outstanding Commissioner” Award.
Megan Masson-Minock became an official member of the Michigan Association of Planning Board. Five other CWA staff have served on the Board, including four past presidents.