October 25, 2024
Congratulations to recently retired DVRPC Deputy Executive Director Patty Elkis, who received the 2024 Leaders Award for Distinguished Service, and the project team for Vision Zero: Hunting Park, who received the Award for Plans.
Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) recognized DVRPC staff achievements during its annual conference. The APA PA awards recognize distinguished individuals and successful projects as among the best in Pennsylvania planning.
Recently retired DVRPC Deputy Executive Director Patty Elkis received the 2024 Leaders Award for Distinguished Service, which is the Pennsylvania Chapter’s highest honor. It recognizes a Chapter member who contributed to planning in Pennsylvania and the development and mission of the Pennsylvania Chapter in a substantial manner over a sustained period. Elkis was cited for her remarkable 32-year career at DVRPC, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentorship, and innovation in the planning field. The awards book noted, “Patty’s commitment to fostering collaboration across public, private, and nonprofit sectors has significantly enhanced regional planning efforts, particularly in open space preservation, water quality, and clean energy.”
Additionally, the project team for Vision Zero: Hunting Park received the 2024 Award for Plans. This category of awards recognizes plans that advance the science and art of planning and will have a significant positive impact on a community. The Hunting Park Vision Zero Corridor Study represents best practice in transportation planning: using deep and authentic public outreach to develop strategies that address a Plan goal, evaluating and refining those strategies using advanced analysis, and telling the story of those refined strategies well enough to get them funded for implementation. The plan was also cited for its readability, graphics, and design. The project team consists of Kelsey McElduff, Principal Transportation Engineer; Sarah Moran, Manager, Office of Mobility Analysis and Design; Kevin Murphy, Senior Manager, Office of Safe Streets; Kaylen Phillips, Transportation Planner, Office of Safe Streets; Kendra Nelson, Transportation Planner, Office of Mobility Analysis and Design; Elise Turner, Associate Director of Communications; Stephanie Cavacini, Associate Manager, Office of Creative and Print Services; Gina Myers, Communications Manager, Office of Communications and Engagement; and Russell Livolsi, Transportation Planning Intern, Office of Mobility Analysis and Design.
Congratulations to all!