Upfront Planning Podcast

A full conference session from the 2024 AAED Fall Forum: moderated by Jimmy Lindblom of Willmeng Construction with panelists Adam Baugh of Withey, Morris Baugh, Ryan Norris of Trammell Crow Company, Maria Laughner from the City of Mesa Economic Development Department and Neil Calfee of ASU Knowledge Enterprise discuss all things outreach and how it impacts a projects development or slow death.

Valley Parntership's Clark Princell is joined by Phoenix East Valley Parntership's Mike Hutchinson to discuss the effects of the reults of the local and state elections.  What does this mean going forward and how will we need to adjust and what will the market do?!

AZ Big Media editor Kyle Backer talks about how he gets stories and what he thinks about the Phoenix market having reported on so many sectors.  Hear out how he hears about the news before it breaks and hear his run down of the current and future status of the industrial, commercial, office and residential markets.

Tower Capital's George Maravilla talks the Phoenix current and future BTR and commercial market financing and how he looks at properties and deals to make sure they work to get the finish line, the struggles with getting some to the finish line, why he prefers the "go big or go home" deals and what he thinks will be in store for 2025.

Jim Petty with the Pinal Airpark joins the podcast to talk about the history and current status of the Pinal Airpark. I got an amazing behind the scenes tour of the airport and love what a deep history it has for not only AZ but the world's military operations.

Mike Hutchinson with Phoenix East Valley Partnership and Deanna Villanueva-Saucedo with Maricopa County Community Colleges joins the podcast  to go over what is on your local ballot from transportation issues, general funding, general plans, propositions, school boards and soo many judges.  Get informed to vote for the local items that will impact you the most!

Melissa Gierhan host of the "All the Things Real" podcast joins Jessica to talk about being an realtor and interior designer and her big visions for this East Valley mom with her new ventures.

Hear some outrageous stories from Jessica's annual conference planning session about the stories that teach us the most about working in the planning field. I do not endorse or confirm that any of these stories are true or real and I do not approve any bad behavior :)

Jessica is joined by Upfront Planning intern Parker Lewis to go over what happened, who was there and let you know all what you missed from the fun events at the 2024 Arizona State Planning Conference in Tucson.

My friend and former coworker Phill Fedor, RLS a land survey mapping manager from Alta Arizona and an expert level Pony Express Rider joins me in the studio to talk land surveying, things he has seen over the years out there and how he likes to give back to the community through being a humble Arizona cowboy.

Meagan Ehlenz, PhD, AICP and Matt Gomez of the Arizona State University School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning join us to talk about the latest school year. What trends do they see in the planning field, new opportunities and things they wish the students knew before registering. Hear what they are doing to build the next level of planning practitioners.

Jessica is joined by Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson to recap all things League fo Arizona Cities and Towns 2024 Conference. Hear how some of the sessions went and what it is like as an elected navigating this fun and eventful conference.

3 Business Owners in Land Development talk shop about being leaders in their field and what it takes to get there and stay there. Hear the stories and trials they each have had and how they juggle the mental load and continue to be amazing in thier field. Nicole Posten-Thompson, RA, Sarah Simpson, PE and Jessica Fitz have a frank conversation about being a business owner, life and being a woman in...

Dorn Policy Group's Tom Dorn and Chandler's Assistant City Attorney Thomas Allen joins the podcast to discuss Arizona Senate Bills 1162 and House Bills 2297 and 2720 and all things housing legeslation.

Current Mayoral Candidate and former Mayor Mesa Scott Smith joins the podcast to talk about the current election and what he sees as the future for Mesa and how he plans to support Mesa for the next 10 years.

Development Services Directors Nana Appiah, PhD, AICP from the City of Mesa and Land Attorney Brennan Ray of Burch & Cracchiolo discuss how deals get done with zoning and land use transactions and how they negotiate the deals to find common ground on stitpulations development agreements and can still remain civil and get along wiht everyone they go up against in cases.

Mesa Mayor John Giles talks with us about how he got on the track to be the Mayor of Mesa what his proudest moments of being Mayor are and what is he going to do after his term is up? He talks about the positions challenges and who has helped him succeed along the way.

Mesa Councilmember and Mayoral Candidate Mark Freeman joins the podcast to talk about his lasting impact as a Mesa native and a first responder to being elected to the City Council and now as a candidate for Mayor. Mark goes over his priorities for Mesa's future and what you can expect from him as continues to serve the citizens of Mesa.

Kelly Bell from KBell Engineering talks about Civil Engineering as a small women owned business and we get into a little Upfront therapy for both of us as being small business owners

Danson Construction Melissa Johnson and Gilbane Construction's Michelle Rousseau and Ken Grothman join the podcast to tell us what it really takes to construct a project and all that goes on behind the scenes and why the earlier in the site development process the better to get them involved to tell you what its goning to cost.

The second episode with Jessica's current ULI Next group leader Jason Hersker talking about the commercial market and what he has seen recenlty in the ups and downs of development with a little postive before the drama.

Adam Baugh and Jason Morris of the Dirt to Development podcast and Withey Morris Baugh join the podcast to talk a little smack, stir shit up and talk about what a Planning Booty Call is from Clients.

ULI Next members Kirk Fonfara and Jim Bulsiewicz joins the podcast to talk about how their industry is going in title and multi family development and all things random and fun.

Jessica is joined by Shelby Duplessis of Diversified Future and Passion to PowHer and Ryan and Jamie Blakeman of Lokahi Teams to discuss their non profits and why they started them and how they are able to continue to give back while working their regular full time jobs. Hear how thier passion has grown into amazing opportunties to support the communities they live in and more through simple deeds...

For Historic Preservation Month we are talking about the redevelopment and preservation of Downtown Mesa. Councilmember Jenn Duff, Downtown Transformation Manager Jeff McVay, AICP and Caliber's VP of Construction Management Wren Martin talk about the history of Downtown Mesa as well as how it got its kick start again and the future plans while still keeping its historic and community character.