From March to May of 2025, the Southwest Section Council worked together to establish clear priorities for the Section. The product of this work identified two focus areas. These focus areas have been coordinated with the State Chapter’s Development Plan for 2023-2027, identifying specific ways in which the Section can help to advance the Chapter’s overall goals. These focus areas will be used to organize our internal and external efforts over the next eighteen months.
1. Strengthen Engagement with Students and Young Professionals
Goal: To get students and young professionals more actively engaged with the Southwest Section and Pennsylvania Chapter of APA.
Strategies:
2. Improve Communications and Capacity Building
Goal: To expand Southwest Section membership engagement by exploring new means of communication and opportunities for participation. These efforts should consider how to overcome the Section’s expansive geography and help to ensure that all members feel included.
Strategies:
1. Strengthen Engagement with Students and Young Professionals
Goal: To get students and young professionals more actively engaged with the Southwest Section and Pennsylvania Chapter of APA.
Strategies:
- Continue the existing mentorship program, looking for ways to expand participation.
- Implement an annual networking event to engage students, young professionals, and experienced practitioners.
- Explore how the Section can support the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) application process. Consider facilitating preparation sessions, study sessions, and the sharing of study materials.
2. Improve Communications and Capacity Building
Goal: To expand Southwest Section membership engagement by exploring new means of communication and opportunities for participation. These efforts should consider how to overcome the Section’s expansive geography and help to ensure that all members feel included.
Strategies:
- Provide more regular communication. This may include, but not be limited to, regular, branded newsletters.
- Establish Section branding for communications and events moving forward, helping to bring awareness to the Section.
- Explore opportunities to introduce people to the Section, its region, and its purpose. This should include, but not be limited to:
- New member emails with an overview of the Section and what the Section offers to its members.
- Provide regular website updates.
- Create a program of planned events that include representation across the Section’s geography, as well as providing opportunities for virtual engagement.
Section Chair/ Chapter Prof. Chap. Rep.
Lori Morgan, AICP | HRG
Lori Morgan works as a Senior Planner at HRG. Prior to moving to Pennsylvania, she worked as a Transportation Planner for the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission in Urbana, Illinois. Lori’s work has focused on land use, transportation, and scenario planning, emphasizing data driven and environmental considerations.
Lori holds a bachelor’s in urban planning from Michigan State University and a Master’s of Urban Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She obtained her AICP in 2023. When not working, Lori enjoys cooking, walking and hiking, and hanging out with her family, especially her cat, Nemo.
Lori Morgan, AICP | HRG
Lori Morgan works as a Senior Planner at HRG. Prior to moving to Pennsylvania, she worked as a Transportation Planner for the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission in Urbana, Illinois. Lori’s work has focused on land use, transportation, and scenario planning, emphasizing data driven and environmental considerations.
Lori holds a bachelor’s in urban planning from Michigan State University and a Master’s of Urban Planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She obtained her AICP in 2023. When not working, Lori enjoys cooking, walking and hiking, and hanging out with her family, especially her cat, Nemo.
Vice Chair
Trajan Jones | Indiana Borough
Trajan Jones is a passionate and dedicated urban planner who is pursuing a master's degree in geography, geology, environment, and planning at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). He is currently the Planning & Zoning Official at Indiana Borough, where he oversees planning, zoning, and assists with code enforcement functions of the municipality. Previously, he was a Project Consultant at Stuart Group Consulting, where he provided planning and project management services to clients in the public and private sectors.
Trajan also completed a student planner experience at the City of Greensburg, where he assisted with the SHAPE GREENSBURG Project, a comprehensive plan update that involved extensive public participation and outreach.
Trajan is an active and engaged member of his campus and local community. He is an Ambassador for the Ubora Men of IUP, a mentoring and leadership program for male students of color. He is also a frequent volunteer for the Indiana County NAACP, where he advocates for social justice and civil rights
Trajan Jones | Indiana Borough
Trajan Jones is a passionate and dedicated urban planner who is pursuing a master's degree in geography, geology, environment, and planning at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). He is currently the Planning & Zoning Official at Indiana Borough, where he oversees planning, zoning, and assists with code enforcement functions of the municipality. Previously, he was a Project Consultant at Stuart Group Consulting, where he provided planning and project management services to clients in the public and private sectors.
Trajan also completed a student planner experience at the City of Greensburg, where he assisted with the SHAPE GREENSBURG Project, a comprehensive plan update that involved extensive public participation and outreach.
Trajan is an active and engaged member of his campus and local community. He is an Ambassador for the Ubora Men of IUP, a mentoring and leadership program for male students of color. He is also a frequent volunteer for the Indiana County NAACP, where he advocates for social justice and civil rights
Secretary
Zach Hollingshad | SPC
Zach Hollingshad is a dedicated regional planner with a deep-rooted connection to Southwestern Pennsylvania. Having lived and worked in this region for nearly 30 years, Zach has developed a strong understanding of our communities and a passion for revitalizing our area. As a Transportation Planner for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC),
Zach brings a results-oriented and data-driven approach to his work, always seeking innovative solutions that improve our region's infrastructure and quality of life. He is a firm believer in the power of collaboration and is always willing to listen to diverse perspectives and work with anyone who shares his commitment to planning a brighter tomorrow.
Zach’s dedication to community engagement and sustainable development has led him to seek the position of Secretary for the Southwest Section Council of APA Pennsylvania Chapter. He holds the utmost respect for this role and is committed to serving the organization with integrity, transparency, and a relentless focus on achieving meaningful results. Zach is confident that his experience, passion, and collaborative spirit will be a valuable asset to the Southwest Section Council of APA Pennsylvania as we work together to shape a thriving and equitable future for our region.
Zach Hollingshad | SPC
Zach Hollingshad is a dedicated regional planner with a deep-rooted connection to Southwestern Pennsylvania. Having lived and worked in this region for nearly 30 years, Zach has developed a strong understanding of our communities and a passion for revitalizing our area. As a Transportation Planner for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC),
Zach brings a results-oriented and data-driven approach to his work, always seeking innovative solutions that improve our region's infrastructure and quality of life. He is a firm believer in the power of collaboration and is always willing to listen to diverse perspectives and work with anyone who shares his commitment to planning a brighter tomorrow.
Zach’s dedication to community engagement and sustainable development has led him to seek the position of Secretary for the Southwest Section Council of APA Pennsylvania Chapter. He holds the utmost respect for this role and is committed to serving the organization with integrity, transparency, and a relentless focus on achieving meaningful results. Zach is confident that his experience, passion, and collaborative spirit will be a valuable asset to the Southwest Section Council of APA Pennsylvania as we work together to shape a thriving and equitable future for our region.
Treasurer
Daniel Carpenter | DCED
Daniel Carpenter is currently the Western Planning Manager for DCED’s Office of Community Planning. Prior to joining the state, he served as a planner with Westmoreland County for over ten years. He holds a Bachelor’s in Urban Studies, Master’s in Geography, and graduate certificate in Community Development from the University of South Florida.
Daniel’s planning interests include urban design, land use, parks & trails, transportation, and community engagement. His hobbies include photography, hiking, fishing, and golf. Daniel lives in Greensburg with his wife Laurie and their two sons, Jackson, and Davis. And though he remains loyal to his Florida sports teams with the USF Bulls and Tampa Bay Lightning, he’s embraced the yinz and believes every good sandwich or salad deserves fries
Daniel Carpenter | DCED
Daniel Carpenter is currently the Western Planning Manager for DCED’s Office of Community Planning. Prior to joining the state, he served as a planner with Westmoreland County for over ten years. He holds a Bachelor’s in Urban Studies, Master’s in Geography, and graduate certificate in Community Development from the University of South Florida.
Daniel’s planning interests include urban design, land use, parks & trails, transportation, and community engagement. His hobbies include photography, hiking, fishing, and golf. Daniel lives in Greensburg with his wife Laurie and their two sons, Jackson, and Davis. And though he remains loyal to his Florida sports teams with the USF Bulls and Tampa Bay Lightning, he’s embraced the yinz and believes every good sandwich or salad deserves fries
Professional Planner/ Member-at-Large
Carrie Machuga | McCormick Taylor
Carrie Machuga joined McCormick Taylor’s Pittsburgh office as a Communications Specialist in February 2015. In November 2019, she passed the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) exam. Since then, she has supported several transportation planning studies, corridor studies, long range plans, and comprehensive plans. She has assisted a variety of clients in public outreach efforts including website and video content development and social media campaigns to effectively achieve client messaging and communications goals.
Carrie has also facilitated small group committee meetings and public meetings for often-controversial transportation projects to assist a client in building community consensus and understanding. Prior to joining McCormick Taylor, Ms. Machuga worked for five years with community-based non-profit organizations in communications, grant writing and fundraising roles
Carrie Machuga | McCormick Taylor
Carrie Machuga joined McCormick Taylor’s Pittsburgh office as a Communications Specialist in February 2015. In November 2019, she passed the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) exam. Since then, she has supported several transportation planning studies, corridor studies, long range plans, and comprehensive plans. She has assisted a variety of clients in public outreach efforts including website and video content development and social media campaigns to effectively achieve client messaging and communications goals.
Carrie has also facilitated small group committee meetings and public meetings for often-controversial transportation projects to assist a client in building community consensus and understanding. Prior to joining McCormick Taylor, Ms. Machuga worked for five years with community-based non-profit organizations in communications, grant writing and fundraising roles
Professional Planner/ Member-at-Large
RJ Susko | OHM Advisors
RJ Susko joined OHM Advisors' Pittsburgh office as a Senior Planner in 2025 after spending a decade in public service in municipal manager and planning director roles for a handful of communities in Allegheny County, most recently the Town of McCandless. RJ specializes in zoning and land use planning, right-sized regulatory solutions, municipal process modernization, and clear stakeholder communication. She also serves as a board member for Civically, a Wilkinsburg-based nonprofit that supports civic and social literacy in the Pittsburgh East End region.
RJ holds a Bachelor's in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh GSPIA. In her free time she can often be found making music, hunting down the next greatest craft brewery, or relaxing at home surrounded by her pile of cats.
RJ Susko | OHM Advisors
RJ Susko joined OHM Advisors' Pittsburgh office as a Senior Planner in 2025 after spending a decade in public service in municipal manager and planning director roles for a handful of communities in Allegheny County, most recently the Town of McCandless. RJ specializes in zoning and land use planning, right-sized regulatory solutions, municipal process modernization, and clear stakeholder communication. She also serves as a board member for Civically, a Wilkinsburg-based nonprofit that supports civic and social literacy in the Pittsburgh East End region.
RJ holds a Bachelor's in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh GSPIA. In her free time she can often be found making music, hunting down the next greatest craft brewery, or relaxing at home surrounded by her pile of cats.
Professional Planner/ Member-at-Large
Denny Puko | Consultant
Denny Puko is a self-employed consultant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He worked 15 years at PA DCED assisting local planning throughout Pennsylvania and leading statewide planning policy projects. He worked 27 years in county planning, most notably as executive director at Mercer County Regional Planning Commission.
Denny’s expertise includes comprehensive plans, land use ordinances, and strategic planning. He has developed and instructed training courses on these topics. He is a recognized authority on the PA Municipalities Planning Code. He taught a planning course at Thiel College. He is co-author of the book Off the Shelf and Into Action, How to Create an Implementable Comprehensive Plan, and has influenced a growth of practical, strategic, and results-oriented planning in Pennsylvania.
Denny has a bachelor’s degree in planning from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He received the 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania Chapter of APA and a 2004 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence.
Denny Puko | Consultant
Denny Puko is a self-employed consultant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He worked 15 years at PA DCED assisting local planning throughout Pennsylvania and leading statewide planning policy projects. He worked 27 years in county planning, most notably as executive director at Mercer County Regional Planning Commission.
Denny’s expertise includes comprehensive plans, land use ordinances, and strategic planning. He has developed and instructed training courses on these topics. He is a recognized authority on the PA Municipalities Planning Code. He taught a planning course at Thiel College. He is co-author of the book Off the Shelf and Into Action, How to Create an Implementable Comprehensive Plan, and has influenced a growth of practical, strategic, and results-oriented planning in Pennsylvania.
Denny has a bachelor’s degree in planning from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He received the 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the Pennsylvania Chapter of APA and a 2004 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence.
Please see below for the Section’s current bylaws, adopted April 1, 2014 and amended August 27, 2025
| ByLaws_SW_Section_Revised2025.docx.pdf |