Our Team

Benjamin R. Carlisle, LEED, AICP has more than 20 years of experience working as a professional planner, including experience in zoning, land use and comprehensive planning, site planning, tax increment financing, and economic development.   With Carlisle/Wortman Associates Ben serves as principal planner to the cities of Troy, Wixom, and Saline, and to the townships of Pittsfield, Ypsilanti, and Superior.  Ben is a trainer and regular speaker for the Michigan Association of Planning, the Michigan Municipal League, and the Michigan Township Association.

David Scurto, AICP is a community planner with 31 years of experience in municipal planning and development. He focuses on urban places, central place cities, inner-ring suburbs, and economic redevelopment. He has worked with the nationally acclaimed Redevelopment Ready Communities program and led boards for state and national planning associations. Dave works with several municipalities on economic development projects including business retention and recruitment, tax increment financing, incentives, partnering, public property acquisition, code enforcement and approval processes.

Vice President R. Donald Wortman, PLA, AICP is a registered landscape architect and professional community planner with more than 30 years of experience. His planning practice is characterized by long-term relationships with communities of varying sizes and types, assisting each with unique growth management strategies. His design capabilities have enhanced planning projects and provided creative approaches to development issues. With planning and design expertise, he integrates both into solutions that work for positive community change.

Diane Mulville-Friel, AICP, is a senior associate planner with Carlisle/Wortman Associates and has 20 years of experience working as a professional planner both in municipal government and consulting.  Diane received her bachelor’s degree in Land Use Planning from Northern Michigan University and master’s degree in Geography and Regional Planning from Western Illinois University. Before joining Carlisle/Wortman Associates, she was Principal Planner for the City of Largo, Florida.  In that role, she reviewed site plans for large commercial and mixed-use projects, completed complex land use map amendments and revisions to land development codes, and provided lead support for specialty projects such as the City’s “Housing For All”, a missing middle housing initiative.  She is experienced in project management, presenting at public meetings, and communicating with elected officials, board members, developers, and residents. Diane strives to work collaboratively and fairly with all participants involved in the planning process and to systematically resolve issues by seeking to find a “win-win” outcome whenever possible.

A lover of water, woods, and nature, Diane is committed to sustainability and resiliency planning. She is elated to have secured the Senior Associate Planner position with Carlisle/Wortman Associates and to return to “Pure Michigan”!

Joe Pezzotti is a community planner and recent graduate from Michigan State University majoring in Urban and Regional Planning with a minor in Cities: Environment and Design. Joe has experience in special planning studies, having previously partnered with the Lansing Economic Development Corporation to complete a road corridor and economic impact study. His other interests include downtown development and environmental planning.

Grayson Moore is a community planner with professional experience in geographic information systems, economic development, environmental sustainability, and managing metropolitan growth. He holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Wayne State University where his graduate work and research has focused on urban and neighborhood revitalization. Upon completion of his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Business Administration Grayson began work in code enforcement before beginning work as a community planner. He is also a member of the American Planning Associations and the Michigan Association of Planning where he is involved with the Emerging Planning Professionals.

President Richard K. Carlisle, FAICP has, by direct influence and example, shaped planning regulation, practices and perceptions for the state of Michigan. In his 39 years in private practice, he has developed plans and regulations that brought new life to established communities and shaped growing communities in sustainable ways that consciously served the best interests of people, businesses, the environment and the economy. He gives back to his profession and community serving on the boards of state and national professional associations and as a trainer, speaker and author. Dick has served as an expert witness in more than 100 zoning cases.

Craig Strong has been in the construction field for 32 years. He served 10 of those years as the City of Milan’s building/zoning official responsible for plan reviews and construction inspections. Craig’s experience in the field and of current construction codes allows him to provide quality service to communities seeking professional assistance in code enforcement areas. He holds current State of Michigan registration as a building official, construction plan reviewer and building inspector.

Sally Elmiger, AICP, LEED is trained in both community planning and landscape architecture, and has focused her 15-year planning practice on sustainable development, natural area preservation and  community engagement. Her wide-ranging experience includes master planning, zoning, corridor design, recreation and park planning, environment/watershed planning and wetlands consulting. She has completed training in the National Charrette Institute’s (NCI) Charrette System and the public engagement module of the MiPlace, place making initiative.

Mike Auerbach is a community planner with a professional background of working with southeast Michigan local governments and nonprofit agencies. His planning experience includes site plan review, zoning administration, facilitating public engagement, and assisting local officials in drafting new ordinance provisions and policies. Mike also has a versatile technical skillset for analyzing, evaluating, and mapping land use and socioeconomic data.

Shana Kot is a community planner with experience in site plan review, zoning administration, and policy writing. She holds a Master of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Economic Development from Wayne State University. In her career, Shana is passionate about sustainable planning as a means to enhance the social, economic and environmental health of our communities. Shana’s passion for planning and outgoing personality allow her to build meaningful relationships with the communities she represents.

Brady Heath is a community planner with a background in architecture and historic preservation. He holds a Master of Architecture and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado Denver. He is working on getting his Citizen Planner and Zoning Administrator Certificate. Brady enjoys collaborating with members of the community, and elected and pointed officials to find the best solutions for the communities he works in.

John Enos, AICP, was a planning director for both local and county government before joining Carlisle/Wortman Associates. This experience has shaped his 20-year career, enabling him to more thoroughly see planning issues from the community’s point of view. He currently provides planning, zoning, and growth management services to cities and townships as both an acting planning director and consultant. This unique perspective allows him to craft practical planning solutions within an established community framework.

Megan Masson-Minock is one of the state’s leaders in food systems planning. She has 20 years’ experience in zoning, land use, site plan review and comprehensive planning for municipalities and nonprofits. She most recently worked for the firms of ENP & Associates and M&M Planning. Megan holds certifications from the Form-Based Code Institute and the National Charrette Institute.

Laura K. Kreps, AICP has more than 24 years of experience working as a professional planner both in municipal government and consulting. She is proficient in tax increment financing, economic development, capital improvement project programming, downtown development, and grant writing/administration. She worked as a planner for the City of Monroe before joining Carlisle/Wortman Associates in 2007 and now serves as planner in communities in Monroe, Wayne & Washtenaw counties. Laura is a Michigan Certified Zoning Administrator and a nationally certified Main Street Manager.

Michael Radzik applies more than 40 years’ experience in municipal leadership to offer solutions to today’s local government challenges. As Office of Community Standards Director for the Charter Township of Ypsilanti, Mike managed the Building, Planning, Code Enforcement, and Police Services departments and executed organizational restructuring to improve service delivery on budget. Mike has deep experience developing and managing programs that improve neighborhoods, from rental housing certification to vacant building and public nuisance abatement. Mike previously served in law enforcement as Lieutenant and SWAT Commander with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, and as Police Administrator for Ypsilanti Township. Mike enjoys working with local officials to improve the quality of life for residents and advocates problem-solving through interdisciplinary teamwork.

Michelle Marin, AICP, is a community planner with experience in development review, zoning ordinance development and administration, public engagement and outreach, and master plan development. She holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan and a Master of Education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Michelle is passionate about assisting communities to engage the public and craft ordinance provisions that effectively reflect their long-range social, economic, and environmental goals. Michelle strives to engage with elected and appointed officials, developers, community members, and partner organizations collaboratively and fairly.

Mark F. Miller, AICP, Community Planner, has practiced community planning for almost forty years and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Mr. Miller provided professional community planning services to a wide variety of communities over his career. He is a multi-discipline planner that transitioned into the city management ranks in 2009 and served as the Troy City Manager for five years. He is also a leader in the Michigan planning field and was elected by his peers twice to the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of Planning. Mr. Miller has proven skills in planning, zoning, form based codes, economic development and city management.

Managing Partner Doug Lewan, AICP, has more than 25 years of professional practice experience in site plan reviews, land use planning, corridor studies, and recreation planning. A Certified Zoning Administrator, Doug is the firm’s zoning expert, supporting zoning boards of appeals in multiple communities. Doug is a trainer and regular speaker for the Michigan Association of Planning and has taught several of the sections of the Michigan State University Citizen Planner program.

Paul Montagno’s expert communication skills allows him to communicate complex community planning principles and strategies to boards and commissions, as well as the general public during public meetings. He has a strong understanding of land use policy development on state and local levels, recognizing the direct link between policy and actionable steps that lead to stronger healthier communities.Having worked for years in the public sector he understands how ordinance language translates to zoning administration and enforcement. His 10 years of community planning experience spans master plans, zoning ordinance updates, corridor planning,site plan review, and plan implementation.

Chris Nordstrom, PLA, ASLA, is a landscape architect with experience in both public and private sector projects. Chris has a strong interest in sustainable design and development. His experience includes recreation plans, park plans and designs, trail plans and designs, municipal infrastructure, housing designs and parking studies for both public and private sector clients. Chris’ abilities span the areas of graphic communications, public engagement, report writing and geographic information systems.

Ralph Pasola has planned communities for more than 40 years in both the public and private sectors. His experience spans all areas of professional practice, with special emphasis on master planning, zoning, land use issues, ordinance enforcement and litigation research.

Matteo Passalacqua, MUP, Associate Planner has been a practicing career level planner for over a year in his new role as Associate Planner at Carlisle | Wortman Associates. Roles and responsibilities at CWA include providing daily support to municipal planning departments, site plan review, supporting special projects including TIF plans, military installation campus planning, community real estate development strategy drafting and master planning. Prior to his new career, Matteo worked in the non-profit, for profit and public real estate sector for over ten years. His roles have included Leasing Manager, Property Manager and General Manager as it relates to the operations of office, retail, industrial and historic properties. During his career tenure, Mr. Passalacqua has used his planning education to utilize field practices in the development industry as it relates to sustainability, interactive environments, walkability, urban design and historic redevelopment.