2019 NCASLA Candidate Bios
President-Elect (one candidate)
Courtney Landoll, PLA, LEED AP
Landscape architects innately want to make a difference. Professional societies like ASLA provide a way to increase our collective voice and impact. For NCASLA to be impactful, we must be visible, energetic, organized and united. Through my experience in ASLA, I know how to provide the right leadership, to help you and NCASLA be a force for positive change, and as President-elect that would be my charge.
Over the last ten years, I have served ASLA in various roles. In Washington, I worked my way up from a Member-at-Large to President. I later served as ASLA Chapter Presidents Council Chair, a position appointed by the President to assist Chapter Presidents in their role. I now serve on the ASLA Leadership Development Committee, to guide emerging leaders through the leadership ladder of ASLA. I have been mentored by great leaders of ASLA and now consider it my privilege to help others.
That said, what would make NCASLA more meaningful to you and to the public? That is a question I would ask you, but as a former President I can identify areas for improvement, including more continuing education and networking throughout the year. Let’s gather over inspiring subjects and continue the conversation afterward over a beer. Second, we need expanded ways to serve the public and promote the profession, like Parking Day and Career Discovery in the schools. Last, we need opportunities for you to serve NCASLA in ways that are defined and time-limited to fit your busy lifestyle.
If these ideas resonate with you, I ask for your vote and hope that you will join me to make NCASLA the best that it can be. Our strength is our members. Let us work together so that NCASLA reflects how amazing our membership is.
Secretary (two candidates)
Crystal Ross
Crystal is a landscape designer who focuses her design strategy on having a positive impact on the communities she works in by creating healthier, safer, more enjoyable outdoor spaces that respond to social needs as they evolve. With passions for art, pattern, materiality, horticulture and cultural celebration, Crystal produces colorful, lively and environmentally conscientious design concepts. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cornell University and now has over six years of professional experience working on a wide range of projects. Crystal enjoys working through a collaborative design process with other design professionals to consider new ideas and ways of thinking about design solutions. Her own expertise lies in quality designs through construction documentation and implementation.
Crystal previously served as Secretary for the Boston Society of Landscape Architects from 2014 to 2016 and was also actively involved in the Emerging Professionals group. During her time in Boston, she also organized several events for Landscape Architecture Awareness Month to increase public awareness and showcase what it is we do as designers in urban environments. Crystal moved to Raleigh in January of this year and looks forward to continuing to advocate for the landscape architecture profession in the southeast through communication and education.
Sadie Walters
Sadie Walters is a native of Asheville and now calls Raleigh home. She developed a love of the natural world and plants very early in life. A graduate of Warren Wilson College, she majored in environmental education. While at Warren Wilson, she worked on the landscaping crew at a time when the campus was converting to the use of native plants. Upon graduation, she started her own business, Growing Native Nursery. It was during this period of time that she was hired by Buncombe County Social Services Department to create the outdoor play space for children and families receiving services located in front of the department in downtown Asheville. This experience propelled her to return to school to obtain a Masters in Landscape Architecture, from North Carolina State University. While obtaining her master's degree, she worked at the Natural Learning Initiative at NCSU, which offers evidence-based design assistance, professional development, and information resources to advance experience of the natural environment in the daily lives of all children. Upon graduation in January 2016, Sadie completed two internships with landscape architecture firms in the triangle and in the summer of 2017 began work with Timmons Group, a multidisciplinary design firm in Raleigh. Her passion continues to be seeking ways to connect people with the natural world through design and the use of native plants.
Sadie is married to Adam Walters and has two daughters, Maven and Ada.
Member at Large- Legislative Affairs- (one candidate)
Elizabeth G. Frere, MUD, PLA
Elizabeth has practiced landscape architecture for eleven years, with the last ten years working in various roles within the Facilities Management department at UNC Charlotte. In her current role as a Project Manager in Capital Projects she oversees the Advanced Planning (AP) efforts with the design teams and University customers, manages the schematic, design development, and construction document phases of projects that include real property acquisitions, new construction or rehabilitation of existing facilities, and repairs and renovations. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University and a Master of Urban Design from University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is licensed to practice landscape architecture in North Carolina, is a member of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and is an active member in her Neighborhood Association’s Land Use Committee. Elizabeth is a natural leader and fights hard for her beliefs and for what is in the best interest of her customers. She is at her best in a group environment and is extremely proactive in getting full involvement of all team members to derive the best results possible. Elizabeth values inclusion, accountability and collaboration, always striving for consensus design.
Coastal Section Chair (one candidate)
Howard T. Capps, RLA, ASLA
Howard T. Capps, RLA, ASLA, has provided Land Planning & Landscape Architectural services to both public & private clients from his Wilmington, N.C. based office since early 1987.
Howard has served as Coastal Section Chair in 1994- 1995 and again in 2000- 2001. He has also served on the NCASLA Executive Committee as Member-At-Large, Legislative Affairs from 1996-1999.
He was founding board member of NCLOLA. Locally, Howard has served as Vice- Chair and Chair of the Cape Fear Transit Authority Board, Citizens Advisory Committee for the 2035 & 2040 MPO
Long Range Transportation Plans, and Vice- Chair of the 2016 Wilmington Comprehensive Plan.
If elected to serve as Coastal Section Chair, I will work with members in the Coastal Area to continue our current section chair’s work to raise the profile of our profession in our communities.
Will also encourage members in the Coastal Area to reach out to local elementary, middle and high school students to educate them about our profession during Landscape Architecture Month.
Mountain Section Chair (one candidate)
Joshua T. Karrick, PLA, ASLA, AICP
Josh Karrick is a Landscape Architect with over 20 years of experience and is now based in Asheville, NC. He has recently served as the Mountain Section Chair for the last two years and serves as the regional office manager for Bell Engineering. Josh has a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Kentucky and is also a Certified Planner. In addition to serving on the NC ASLA Board, Josh has served on the Kentucky ASLA Executive Committee in a variety of roles including; President and Sponsorship Chair and on the Kentucky APA Board as Professional Development Officer and Section Chair.
My goal in with position is to engage the local membership with professional and product educational opportunities that also allow for networking and social events that will promote the profession.
Voting members will be sent a link to participate in the process, which will be open from July 1- August 1, 2019.