About Land Planning Group - Staff
Land Planning Group is committed to providing high-quality cost-effective professional services that accomplish the client's vision. We take pride in our ability to work with the client to move each project from a visionary stage to a completed development.
HISTORY
The Land Planning Group was initially incorporated in 1985 as a multidisciplinary consulting firm providing quality professional services specializing in urban and regional planning, environmental permitting, landscape architecture, and computer mapping and graphic services. After 13 years of exceptional service, Land Planning Group was restructured as 3 separate entities and in July 1998 the planning department embarked on a new journey as Land Planning Group Since then, Land Planning Group has continued assisting clients in all aspects of land use planning.
Land Planning Group offers incredibly diverse professional planning and implementation services using state-of-the-art tools and experienced staff. Land Planning Group has and is working on many exciting projects throughout Florida and offers a wide range of planning services that are driven by local knowledge and historical perspective unlike any other in the Central Florida area. Land Planning Group consists of a variety of professionals within a client-driven organization that utilizes the “team concept" to provide effective, high-quality communication and expeditious solutions. This results in cost savings to the client by offering a cost-effective project approach in a prompt professional manner. Land Planning Group understands that a strong commitment to client satisfaction is the foundation of all services.
LPG SERVICES
LAND PLANNING GROUP TEAM
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Michael Rankin - Managing Partner
Michael (Mike) is no stranger to the developing world for the past 31 years. Rankin stepped in as Managing Partner with the retirement of Greg Beliveau, who currently serves as a consultant for LPG, LLC in 2022. Rankin served communities in Missouri, Arkansas, and Florida from Plans Examiner, Building Official, Airports, Planning and Zoning, and Economic Development to City Management. Rankin additionally served in the private sector as Project Management and Consulting in addition to owning a few businesses along the way.
Mike Rankin also served on various boards such as the Chamber of Commerce (5), Statewide Economic Development Boards (2), and numerous Business Associations. Rankin has received many accolades such as 30 of 30, 40 of 40 (Missouri), Person of the Year awards (4), AEDC Developer of the Year, MEDC Developer of the Year (2), ICSC Project of the Year, in addition to numerous local, regional, and state leadership awards. Rankin is also a graduate of Leadership Missouri, Leadership Arkansas, and five (5) local Leadership Academies.
Mike Rankin and his wife Kristi live in a century-old home and own an Antique Store in Leesburg Florida.
Cat Reel – Office Manager / HR
Cat attended the University of Florida from 1979-1983, and continued education throughout her career at Santa Fe Community College, Tampa College, and Lake-Sumter State College. Her focus was in finance, and marketing, and a minor in art.
Cat has resided in Lake County for over 25 years. She spent the ten years prior to coming to LPG in the non-profit sector as Operations Manager for a Main Street Organization. She has also served on the Executive Board of several Non-Profit organizations including, Downtown Leesburg Business Association as both Secretary and Treasurer, The Relay for Life as Regional Fundraising Chair, and is currently President of the Melon Patch Theatre.
Her previous experience includes being an account Representative for SECO (Sumter Electric CO-OP), Administrative Assistant to the Regional Manager at Consolidated Electrical Supplies, Tumor Board Administrator at SunCoast Hospital, Traffic Coordinator at Home Shopping Network, HR Clerk for Physical Plant at the University of Florida, Administrative Assistant /Psychology Department at Bedford V.A. Hospital, and Coordinator/Administrative Assistant for various private practice physician offices.
PLANNING
Kelly Turner, AICP
Kelly Turner began her career in local government over 8 years ago where she worked alongside LPG Urban and Regional Planners to bring viable community development projects to fruition. Kelly is a member of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) and has been a Certified Floodplain Manager (Certificate No. US-16-09563) since 2016.
During her tenure in the public sector, Kelly became enthralled with resilient building practices and protecting nature’s floodplains from the negative effects of development. After working her way up, a new avenue opened which led to Kelly starting her own consulting firm. She partners with several firms in the Central Florida area to bring the highest quality work to each project. A knack for interpreting and enforcing codes coupled with conscientious attention to detail has led Kelly to run a successful small business in the Community Development field.
Heather M. Urwiller, AICP, CFM
Heather Urwiller, AICP has 23 years of experience in public and private sector urban planning and community development. She has served communities across Florida, Massachusetts, and Upstate New York. Heather has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University at Albany. Her work is featured in several publications including Beyond the Fracking Wars. She has been a registered member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, since 2010 and became a Certified Floodplain Manager in 2019.
Heather's prior professional roles in the public sector include Planning Manager with the City of Sanford, Planning Director with the City of Tarpon Springs, Town of Princetown, NY, Town of Randolph, MA, and Principal Planner in Citrus County, and City Planner with the City of Minneola. Moving from public sector planning to private planning consulting has allowed Heather to hone her considerable project management, relationship building, and policy writing skills. She leverages all her experience and skills to deliver a superior client experience. Heather has worked as a private planning consultant for Morris Depew Associates, and LPG Urban and Regional Planners serving both private and public sector clients. She
can seamlessly transition between private and municipal environments which has helped her to build and maintain strong relationships with developers, design professionals, and public sector staff throughout Florida.
Since moving to the Central Florida area, Heather has been co-chairing the Orlando Metro Section’s Women in Planning Group. She participates in the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association's Planning to Leader program and regularly participates in American Planning Association, sponsored events as a featured speaker. Her interests include developing talented planners as a mentor and participating as a leader in the Florida Planning Community. Heather is motivated, adaptable, and will not quit till the job is done and done well.
Sherie Lindh – Senior Planner
Sherie Lindh has thirty-five (35) years of experience providing land planning services to both the public and private sectors. She is highly skilled in land use planning and permitting; Sherie has been working closely with the Cities of Leesburg, Umatilla, Minneola, and Fruitland Park serving as their Assistant City Planner.
Sherie has developed the expertise required to create and maintain close working relationships with both governing municipal agencies and private sector clients. Her responsibilities include reviewing and providing recommendations on annexations, rezoning, comprehensive plan amendments, and plans associated with development to determine compliance with subdivision, zoning, and regulatory regulations. She also assists in the creation and revision of Land Development Regulations, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, draft ordinances and public notices.
SUPPORT
Christopher Lindh – Reprographics Support
Christopher Lindh provides reprographics support and has over sixteen (16) years of experience in providing and serving clientele with their printing, copying, scanning, and other reprographic needs. His machinist background provides highly skilled assistance in maintaining the machines for the company thus saving money on repair costs.
Tanner Kalebaugh – GIS/CAD - Feild Technical Services
Tanner Kalebaugh is the newest member of the LPG team. Tanner brings a vast knowledge of computers and software design programs, including CAD, serving a local manufacturing firm with design and layout the past several years. Tanner’s “can-do” attitude will be of great benefit to LPG and our Clients.
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CONSULTANTS
Greg A. Beliveau, AICP
Greg Beliveau, AICP, is a registered member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (#9836) and has over 34 years of experience providing land planning services to the public and private sectors. He has significant experience in the administrative field serving as Assistant City Manager of Leesburg for 4 years prior to moving to the private sector. Greg holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Public Administration from Florida State University. He is a member of the American Planning Association, the American Society for Public Administration, and the Florida City and County Management Association. Greg Beliveau has supervised the creation of comprehensive plans, comprehensive plan amendments, land development regulations, and local government support assistance to over 14 local governments at both the city and county levels.
Joseph Wilson – GIS Analyst
Joseph Wilson has worked with LPG Urban & Regional Planners since 1998 through its sister company at the time, LPG Mapping and Computer Services as a CAD/GIS Analyst. He has an extensive background in geographic mapping and analysis. Mr. Wilson was also the lead telecommunications designer for Synginc, Corp for 8 years starting in 2010. He designed and constructed, managed, multi-million dollar telecommunication projects for The Walt Disney Company and Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Joseph graduated in 1995 from Florida Tech in Orlando with a degree in Computer Science.