The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) recently announced its 2024-25 Board of Directors, introducing a diverse team of volunteer leaders set to advance landscape architecture regulation and public protection.
Joel Kurokawa, ASLA, CLARB assumes the role of president, bringing international expertise and a vision for strengthening industry connections. As founder and principal of Ki Concepts in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kurokawa brings extensive experience in both private and public projects, along with teaching in higher education and a distinguished record of service with CLARB, the Hawaii Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors & Landscape Architects, and the American Society of Landscape Architects.
“Joel’s focus on building connections will strengthen CLARB’s work to ensure that the world’s people, places and environment are protected by landscape architecture,” said Matt Miller, CEO. “His thoughtful perspective and leadership style align perfectly with our mission to advance the profession while protecting public welfare.”
Leadership
- Brian Verardo, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP will serve as president-elect. Verardo is principal landscape architect, president and managing partner at Pland Collaborative in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has over twenty-five years of experience working for private sector landscape architecture firms and has volunteered for CLARB in various roles for over fourteen years.
- Lea Ann Macknally will complete her three-year leadership service term as past president. In that role she will also serve as the chair of CLARB’s Leadership Advisory Council. Macknally is president of Macknally Land Design in Birmingham, Alabama where she has extensive experience in the design of public spaces and integrated sustainable design.
New directors-at-large
- Leehu Loon, ASLA, PLA was appointed director-at-large. Loon serves as professor and chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He has years of experience as an educator, administrator, licensed landscape architect and advocate for the profession. He has volunteered with CLARB, the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) in areas relating to professional practice, education and the Landscape Architect Registration Examination.
- Amy Stewart was appointed director-at-large. Stewart is a licensed attorney in Rhode Island and chief of legal services for the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, where she works on all aspects of design professional licensing, regulation and enforcement. She serves as legal counsel to seven licensing boards: Architects, Engineers, Land Surveyors, Landscape Architects, Accountants, Real Estate Commission and Real Estate Appraisers. Stewart has successfully drafted and implemented legislation to streamline pathways to licensure and is the first attorney to serve on CLARB’s board of directors.
Returning directors-at-large
- Treasurer: Craig Coronato, Colorado
- Adriana Hernandez Aguirre, Texas
- Emily Cronbaugh, Wyoming
- Allison Fleury, Wyoming
- Edward Kinney, South Carolina
- Ramon Murray, Florida
- Monica Pallares, Mexico City, Mexico
Learn more at clarb.org/home/news/leadership-2024-25.
