Trustee's Letter: October 2025

I am feeling very fortunate as I wrote my last message to you as Trustee.

Having been away from the chapter for a while, I was a little apprehensive to serve as Trustee, especially following in the footsteps of such an icon as Om Khurjekar. But the board and committee members in the chapter immediately made me feel at home and helped initiate me to the important priorities facing the chapter this year. I hope that I was able to help further the chapter to some degree and do my part at increasing opportunities for our members. I have been amazed at how much the chapter has grown since my initial involvement in the early 2000s.

The landscape architecture community in Maryland is blessed to have such talented board and committee members guiding the development and protection of our profession. They are quick to respond to many issues and are proactive at improving the lives of landscape architects. The Chapter promotes a multitude of events including webinars, tours, legislative initiatives, LARE prep reviews, regional conferences, student scholarship and mentorship programs, parking day events and many more functions. The awards gala was one of the highlights of the year for me. The Baltimore Museum of Industry was such a great venue, the awards that were given were for exceptional projects and it was great to catch up with old friends and colleagues.

I am especially excited that our new public practitioner Danielle Bilot is on the board and already active in organizing several PARK(ing) Day events. Michael Pullano has done a wonderful job and expanded many committees and the breath of our reach this past year. I look forward to the experience that Patrick Wheaton will bring to the chapter in the next year. I am leaving you in good hands as Brian Reetz takes over as Trustee. He will no doubt bring tremendous energy, guidance and experience to this position.

I wish you all well in the future and hope to see you at upcoming chapter events and at the ASLA conference in New Orleans.

Vernon Hustead

Trustee, MDASLA