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Whit Blanton, FAICP (Candidate for President-Elect)

Professional Experience:  

  • Executive Director, Forward Pinellas, 2015-current, managing a staff of 17 professionals and reports to a governing board of 13 elected officials which makes decisions for transportation investments that use federal and state funds to support the Pinellas Countywide Plan. 
  • Vice President and Founding Principal, Renaissance Planning, based in Orlando, 1999-2015 
  • Principal Planner with SAIC/TransCore, 1995-1999 
  • Principal Planner with JHK & Associates, 1988-1995 (acquired by SAIC) 
  • Editor and writer, “Florida Planning” newsletter, APA Florida (intern), 1987-1988 
  • Weatherization Coordinator, Tallahassee Housing Foundation (intern), 1987 
  • Legislative Intern, Florida House of Representatives, Education K-12 Committee, 1986-1987 
  • 32 years of planning experience in Florida in both the public and private sector 
  • Led both large and small planning projects around the state, primarily working on behalf of local governments, transit agencies, MPOs, state agencies and regional planning councils.  
  • Taught land use and transportation planning training courses across the country for the US Department of Transportation, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the National Transit Institute, and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. 
  • Led major planning projects in North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas.  
  • Served as a relationship builder, collaborative partner, and innovative leader on a wide range of planning projects. 

Educational Background: 

  • Masters program in Urban & Regional Planning, Florida State University, 1986-1988 
  • Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, University of Florida, 1982-1986 
  • Graduate of Riverview High School, Sarasota, FL, 1982 

APA Florida/APA Experience: 

  • APA Legislative & Policy Committee member (former chair), 2008-current 
  • APA Education Committee – 2016-2020 
  • APA Community Planning Assistance Team, City of West Melbourne, FL, 2016 
  • APA Board of Directors, Region III Representative, 2012-2016  
  • AICP College of Fellows, Class of 2012 (class keynote speaker) 
  • AICP President’s Award for Exemplary Professional Practice, 2011 
  • AICP Exam Committee, 2008-2010 
  • APA Divisions Council, Chair 2006-2008 
  • APA Transportation Planning Division, Chair 2000-2005 
  • APA Transportation Planning Division, Newsletter Editor, 1994-2000 
  • APA Florida – Legislative & Policy Committee, 2017-current  
  • APA Florida – Community Planning Assistance Team (CPAT) development committee, current 
  • APA Florida – Newsletter Committee, 2010-2017 
  • CAMPs Mentor, APA FL Suncoast Section, 2017-current 
  • MAPS Mentor, APA FL Suncoast Section, 2015-2019 
  • President, Central Florida Chapter, Florida Planning & Zoning Association, 1997-1998 


Position Statement 

Among the best things I ever did professionally was to become involved in APA. As a volunteer on the chapter and national level since my twenties, I met influential planners across the country who encouraged and inspired me to excel at helping communities meet their challenges. I developed leadership skills, learned how to work productively with different factions, keep policies and projects moving, and find consensus on major actions among a diverse group. 

In 2014, I served on the APA leadership committee convened to choose the next Chief Executive Officer. We faced a difficult choice between extraordinary planning leaders and a non-planner with extensive association management experience. We made the right choice hiring Jim Drinan that year. APA made big strides in its professionalism and transparency, board engagement, member communications, education initiatives, and its financial position.  

Our chapter faces a similar transition. We must talk with our members and partners to ensure the qualities and position we desire as an organization advance with the hiring of a new executive. We need to be inclusive, forthright, and intelligent in that search. The economic and social impacts of COVID-19 present an even greater challenge than we’ve faced before. Yet APA Florida is a strong chapter, financially and with its core of dedicated and responsible leaders. The chapter membership is outstanding, with a passion for this dynamic, maddening, and wonderful state. I want to harness that strength to effectively advocate for planning, enhance our stature, and help planners and cities address the eternal challenges of policies and budgets.  

I choose to give back to my profession. Serving as your President-Elect will allow me to continue that service, particularly through legislative awareness and advocacy, a key role for this position and a personal strong suit. Thank you for considering me.