Ennis Armon Davis, AICP (Candidate for Vice-President for Membership and Outreach Services)

Professional Experience:

 ·       Alfred Benesch & Company, Jacksonville/Orlando, Senior Planner (July 2017 - Present)

o   In-house FDOT D5 consulting project manager for planning studies, complete streets and lane elimination projects.

o   Florida Selection for Alfred Benesch & Company's National Emerging Leaders Program

·       Ghyabi & Associates, Jacksonville, Senior Planner (August 2009 - June 2017)

o   Consulting planner for Jacksonville 2030 Mobility Plan & Fee (Florida's first Mobility Plan). Awarded 2011 APA Florida Project Award and 2010 FPZA Outstanding Public Study Award

o   Consulting planner for City of Jacksonville Context Sensitive Streets Design Guidelines

·       Powers Design Architects, Ponte Vedra Beach, Director of Land Planning (October 2003 - August 2008)  

·       SCMH Architects, Lakeland, Graduate Architect (April 2001 - October 2003)

·       Planning Websites & Blogs

o   www.TheJaxsonMag.com (Partnership with WJCT Public Media) – (2017 – present)

o   www.moderncities.com (2016 – present)

o   www.metrojacksonville.com (2005 - present). Recipient of 2016 FPZA Outstanding Journalism, 2010 Folio Weekly’s Best of Jax Best Political Blog, 2010 Jacksonville Historic Commission Heritage Education & Publication, 2009 APA Florida Public Group of the Year, 2008 APA Florida First Coast Section Excellence in Media Awards

·       Published Works

o   Images of Modern America: Jacksonville (Arcadia Publishing – 2015)

o   Cohen Brothers: The Big Store (The History Press – 2012)

o   Reclaiming Jacksonville (The History Press – 2012). Recipient of 2012 Jacksonville Historic Commission Heritage Education & Publication Award

·       Professional Affiliations

o   Groundwork Jacksonville Board Member (2019 – present)

o   Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Board of Trustees (2017-Present)

o   Florida Times-Union Editorial Board - Citizen's Member (2017-2018)

Northeast Florida Regional Transportation Committee Board Member - Mayoral Appointee (2014-2018)

o   Jacksonville Historic Society Board Member (2011-2014)

o   Next City Vanguard Class Member (2013)

o   Mayor Alvin Brown Transportation Transition Team Member (2011)

 

Educational Background:

 

·       Bachelor of Architecture, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL April 2001

 

APA Florida/APA Experience:

 

·       APA Florida VP of Membership and Outreach (2020 – Present)

·       APA National Community Planning Assistance Team Leader, Wharton, TX  (November 2018 – February 2020)

o   Recovery Planning Assistance Team Leader for volunteer effort involving rural, minority community adversely impacted by flooding, cultural programming, historic preservation, bicycle and pedestrian access and safety.

o   Coordinated with local stakeholders and APA National to identify national team of planners to provide expertise coordination with impacted federal, state and local agencies in order to create a plan with funding for immediate incremental implementation through efficient use of existing financial resources and planned projects.

o   Final CPAT Report and Implementation Plan adopted by Wharton City Council in February 2020.  – https://www.planning.org/communityassistance/teams/wharton/

·       APA Florida First Coast Section, Section Chair (2017 - 2020)

·       APA Florida First Coast Section Board Member (2012 - 2017)

·       Future Cities Program Planning Mentor, Lee High School, Jacksonville (2013-2014)

 

Position Statement

 

Raised in a historically excluded community, beginning my career in the fields of architecture, real estate development, planning and grassroots advocacy, I am a living testament to the vast array of experiences and perspectives possessed by the members of APA Florida.

 

I have had the opportunity to serve as the Vice-President for Membership and Outreach during the pandemic and have used that time as an opportunity to implement a new APA Florida CPAT program that is prepared to launch this summer pro-bono planning assistance to marginalized communities across the state that have been traditionally excluded. I’ve also had the opportunity to strengthen relationships with other professional organizations throughout the state for partnerships and outreach that bring added value to membership and the communities we serve.

 

I am running for the position of Vice-President for Membership and Outreach Services to further the on-going efforts underway, along with the great work current and past board members have done to continue to advance the organization. To be positioned to serve as leaders in the sustainable development of our communities, protect our environment and preserve our history, the value and awareness of APA Florida must continue to expand within and outside of our professional and social networks.

 

I believe I am uniquely situated to offer APA Florida opportunity to increase organizational awareness and raise membership value by harnessing relationships and resources throughout communities that aren’t familiar with our organization and aspirational principles that include our special responsibility to the public to seek social justice by working to expand choice and opportunity for all. In this position, I hope to not only adequately serve the needs of executive board and statewide membership but continue to drive more inclusive and equitable public awareness and participation, leading to the enhancement of the environments we serve.