About
  1. APA City Planning & Management Division
  2. About

Executive Board

Division Chairperson

Margaret Wallace Brown, AICP, CNU-A

Margaret Wallace Brown is a recognized expert on planning and urban design matters. She currently advises public and private entities on innovative housing, transportation and urban planning initiatives. Previously she was Director of the City of Houston’s Planning & Development Department where she oversaw the City’s land-development and neighborhood planning functions, including historic preservation and the City’s GIS office. In her tenure as director, she successfully completed code changes bringing forth a greater variety of housing and mobility options that encourage walkability and livability. This position capped a 38-year public-service career with the City. Prior to that she was with Interfin Corporation, a Houston development company.

Ms. Brown serves the American Planning Association as Chair of the City Planning & Management Division and as Director of Finance for the Women & Planning Division. 

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Houston and has been named a Hines College of Architecture and Design Distinguished Alumna. 

In addition to AICP certification, she is accredited with the Congress for New Urbanism, holds a Charrette System Certification from the National Charrette Institute, and is a Certified Public Manager from Sam Houston State University Continuing Education.

Vice Chairperson

Patrice Ruffin Dowdell, AICP

Patrice Ruffin Dowdell, Esq., AICP, currently serves as Assistant City Manager with the City of Brookhaven, Ga. In this role, she is primarily responsible for promoting accountability, strategic execution of services, and effective and efficient municipal operations. Ms. Ruffin Dowdell’s 20 years of experience as a certified planner, local government manager, and attorney includes work with local communities and clients in the southeast. In 2024, she was recognized as a WLI ChangeMaker by ULI Atlanta for elevating her community through notable placemaking, creative policies, and selfless service. She is also the recipient of the 2016 Terry F. Holzheimer, FAICP Leadership Award, which honored her exemplary service to divisions, division initiatives, and APA. Ms. Ruffin Dowdell holds a juris doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees in urban and regional planning from Alabama A&M University.


Immediate Past Chair

Don Roe

Don Roe has been the Director of Planning & Urban Design for St. Louis, Missouri for ten years. Pursuing a degree in Environmental Design for University of Colorado Boulder, followed by a Master's in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan. Notable interests include affordable housing, GIS, design, engagement, outreach, and development. 


Director of Administration

Bridgett White, AICP

Bridgett White is the Director of the City of San Antonio's Planning Department. She joined the City in 2015 and holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to her tenure in San Antonio, Bridgett worked in Arlington, Texas, and with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments in Detroit, Michigan.

Bridgett's aspiration for APA City is to not only continue collaborating with fellow planning professionals to advance the principles of the planning profession but also to gain valuable insights from others while addressing the myriad challenges faced by cities of all sizes. Additionally, she aims to work closely with other members of the City Planning and Management Division to foster a more robust and collaborative division that actively engages with other APA Divisions.


Director of Finance

Josh Clements, AICP

Josh Clements is the Planning Director of the City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Previously, Josh was the Planning Director of Altoona, Wisconsin and Community Development Specialist for UW-Madison. Josh currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the City Planning and Management Division. 

In addition to his Executive Role at APA City, Josh serves on the APA Chapter President’s Council Executive Committee as the Liaison to the AICP Commission, and is the immediate Past-President of the APA-WI Chapter. Josh is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and serves on the School Board of the Eau Claire Area School District. Josh equally enjoys exploring the world’s great cities and neighborhoods, parks, and wilderness areas.