School of Planning, Design and Construction

PANELISTS

Dan Wenk, PLA

Retired, National Parks Service  I  Rapid City, South Dakota

Dan was actively engaged in the preservation and management of National Park areas over a 43-year career with the service.  As a landscape architect he began his career in the design and integration of visitor facilities into the natural and cultural landscapes and environments of our national parks.  He went on to become the park landscape architect for Yellowstone National Park, Superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial where he developed a public/private partnership to preserve the Memorial and develop visitor facilities to accommodate and educate the visitors.  For five years he led the NPS Denver Service Center the national planning, design and construction office.  He became the NPS Deputy Director for Operations in 2007.  Dan had the honor to serve for nine months as Acting Director of the NPS during the transition from the Bush to the Obama administration. Dan then took on the role of Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park in 2011.  While at Yellowstone he also served as the Interim President of the National Park Foundation during the launch of the NPS Centennial Find Your Park Campaign.  Dan retired from the National Park Service in 2018 and now is on the board of several nonprofits across the country that support the National Park Service and the environment.  He resides In Rapid City, South Dakota with his wife Barbara and in close proximity to his children and grandchildren. 

Mark Hershberger, PLA

Founder, Hershberger Design  I  Jackson, Wyoming

Mark is a graduate of Michigan State University Landscape Architecture in 1982 and is founder of Hershberger Design, now HDLAjh located in Jackson, Wyoming.  Mark joined Design Workshop in Aspen Colorado in 1984, focusing on planning and design in mountain resort communities throughout the world.  In 1999, Hershberger Design was formed and Bonny Hershberger soon joined creating a partnership focusing on Landscape Architecture in the Jackson Hole region.  This local focus allowed the firm to have a deep understanding of Jackson’s culture, ecology, Land Development Regulations, and other important elements influencing work in the valley and region.  HDLA’s work is intentionally diverse, including affordable and market residential design, community faculties, parks and trails, and multiple projects in Grand Teton National Park.  Notable public lands projects include The LSR Preserve and Jenny Lake Front Country and Back Country Renewal, both ASLA National award-winning projects.  

Dan Lord, PLA

Chief of Finance and Operations, Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)  I  Lansing, Michigan

Dan Lord has been with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) since 2003. He is a 2000 graduate from the Landscape Architecture program at Michigan State University, GO GREEN! Prior to joining the DNR he worked for several private design consultants focusing on cityscapes, residential and commercial land use, and park planning. While with the DNR Dan worked for the Parks & Recreation Division for 12 years where he managed the statewide capital outlay programs as well as leading the efforts to develop the first asset management system for the agency. In 2015 Dan joined the Finance and Operations Division serving as the Facilities, Operations and Support Section Manager overseeing customer service centers and field offices across the state. In 2017 Dan became the Grants Management Section Manager leading a team responsible for 12 different grant programs focused on acquisition, recreational development, and the conservation of natural resources. Currently Dan serves as the Chief of the Finance and Operations Division which is responsible for department wide budget, finance and audit activities, public facing grant programs, real estate, oil/mineral/gas exploration, statewide facilities, polices, procedures, and procurement. Dan lives in DeWitt with his wife Missy, son Gavin (17), and daughter Sierra (16).

MODERATOR

Alex Fenech, PLA, ASLA

Managing Principal, Hitchcock Design Group  I  Coral Springs, Florida

Alex serves as the Managing Principal of Hitchcock Design Group’s South Florida office. HDG is a national, multi-disciplinary landscape architecture, placemaking and urban design firm with their newest office right here in Coral Springs. Providing an impactful influence on the professional growth of others continues to be a staple in Alex’s core values. His role in the office allows him to focus on his craft executing high-profile projects, while mentoring members of his team and nurturing the next generation of landscape architects. Alex is a Past President the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) - Florida Chapter and now serves the National Organization, as Florida’s Trustee representative. He is also participating in the ULI SE/Caribbean Leadership Institute this year and is the only Landscape Architect in an otherwise developer, broker, attorney, and investment centric cohort. 

Professionally, Alex has developed a diverse portfolio of placemaking and design projects since graduating from Michigan State University in 2011. His career as provided opportunities creatively curate projects including domestic and international hospitality, mixed-use development, government, recreation, and urban infill projects throughout Florida, the Caribbean, United States and around the globe. As a Landscape Architect, Alex and his team(s) throughout his career, have had the privilege to lead design and project management efforts for several signature developments that have promoted the work of and impacts of Landscape Architecture. A few notable projects include the Swan Reserve Hotel at the Walt Disney World Resort, InterMiami CF’s Chase Stadium (Major League Soccer) in Fort Lauderdale, and The Station at Shepherd’s Hollow in Clarkston, Michigan. 

Finally, and most importantly, Alex lives in Tamarac, Florida with his wife Kati and cat, Mr. B, and appreciates any opportunity to travel the world to gain inspiration for solution-based design through cultural immersion.