As this unprecedented 2020 year comes to an end, it is time for the Orange Section members to elect new members to its board. We have a number of great candidates running for board member positions and we are so grateful to all of the candidates for volunteering their time! As an APA member, please take a moment to read through the candidate statements below and complete the ballot before December 22nd! Ballot can be found at the bottom of this page or by clicking here: https://forms.gle/HbydVHJgq87SAdd57
Vice Director for Public Information:
Surabhi Barbhaya, AICP, LEED AP
Election Statement (2021-2022 term)- Position: Vice Director of Public Information I have been serving on the OCAPA board for the past four years. I started as an appointed official serving on the Awards committee for the first two years. Later, I got elected as a Vice Director of Public Information for the 2019-2020 term. During this time, I’ve diligently collected information from the board and other sources to publish monthly newsletters and event-specific e-blasts. With the Awards committee’s help, we have been highlighting the 2020 APA OC award winners in a weekly series due to the cancellation of the annual awards function. I have used my graphics skills to help the board from time to time with the design of various event flyers, save the dates and presentations, and helped with luncheons. Before joining OCAPA, I served as a board member on the St. Louis APA chapter for three years. My involvement included assisting the board with organizing the State conference and other annual events, chairing the APA awards jury, and organizing luncheons. OCAPA has given me a great platform to get to know the local planning community. I would like to take every opportunity to ensure that Orange Section members receive all the benefits that OCAPA has to offer. If elected, I would continue bringing you timely information on events and other newsworthy items regularly. I will continue the award series for the next year and work with the website and social media coordinator to make the newsletters easily accessible. I’m currently employed as a Senior Urban Planner with Michael Baker International in Santa Ana and have an undergraduate degree in Architecture and a Masters in Community Planning. I’m a certified planner and have been an APA member for the past 16 years.
Vice Director for Administration
Suzanne Schwab, AICP
I have been a land use planner in Orange County for the past decade, with previous experience on the OC APA board. I have found that keeping in touch with my planning network has been invaluable and with more time in my personal life I would like to increase my involvement with the local planning community. I am an organized (i.e. I watch Marie Kondo and the Home Edit for fun) and detailed oriented person capable of fulfilling the duties of the Vice Director for Administration, especially when it comes to documentation, agendas, and meeting notes. Having been previously involved in OC APA, as the Awards Co-Chair, I understand the role of this position and would also be happy to serve as the section historian.
Vice Director for Finance
Leila Carver
My name is Leila Carver, and I’m a Planner at CSG Consultants – Orange office, MURP from Cal Poly Pomona, and also a proud CSUF alumna! I would be honored to continue serving on the APA Orange Section Board as the Vice Director for Finance. As a Board member for over three years now, I have served in various leadership positions, including the Vice Director for Admin and Finance for the last 2 years! I enjoy working with the Section and APA Chapter board to provide opportunities and benefit for our members through general administration and finance/budgeting for the Section.
Vice Director for Professional Development
Belinda Deines
I am thrilled for the opportunity to run once again as Vice Director for Professional Development. I intend to serve as a resource for career, educational, and networking opportunities to APA Orange Section members. As Vice Director of Professional Development from 2015-2019, I worked with fellow board members to develop the Section’s first mentor program APA Orange PEEL (Planning + Education + Experience + Leadership), establish the APA Conference Stipend Program, and formalize annual student scholarships. After participating as a 2020 PEEL mentor in its revised virtual format, I intend to support the momentum of program’s success into the future. Also, I will continue as Advisor and Founding Board Member to Orange County Young and Emerging Planners (formerly OCYPG), which will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary in 2021. In this next term, I plan to maintain and enhance our Section’s Professional Development activities, programs, and events. I am a Principal Planner for the City of Dana Point and I have been a member of APA since 2008. I look forward to working with the APA Orange Section board to serve the needs of our members.