Please join us in welcoming Bryant Phares II and Evan Pavlik to Planning NEXT. Both Bryant and Evan share an early passion for community building and are looking forward to exploring the tools, ideas, and processes that help communities plan for their futures. You can read more about our newest members of the team below.
Meet Bryant
Tell us about yourself.
I graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in architecture, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Community Planning at the University of Cincinnati.
What first interested you in planning?
I was first interested in planning probably back in 4th grade. Our classroom computers had some SimCity-like game on it where we got to “design” our own cities. From there, I grew to appreciate the built environment, to question the reasons behind a city’s growth, and to wonder how I could be part of that growth. I even studied architecture in undergrad to better understand how buildings are connected at the human scale.
What has your experience been like working at Planning NEXT so far?
I have noticed the helpfulness of my team and really everyone in the office. No one is passing me off to someone else if I have a question. It feels good to know your team wants to help you.
What parts of planning are you most interested in?
I’m interested in EVERYTHING! However, if I had to narrow it down, I would say research is my top choice. We often see the final output of planning (graphs, renderings, maps, etc.), but I’m curious about all the information needed to produce those graphics. What precedents had to be studied? What questions did we ask the community members?
Meet Evan Pavlik
Tell us about yourself.
I’m currently a student at Denison University pursuing Economics, Sustainability and Environmental Studies.
What first interested you in planning?
My interest in planning stems from a desire to make a difference and help people and communities reach their full potential. Funny enough, I fell into a YouTube rabbit hole on post-1950s urban design and how everything changed with urban renewal and a focus on development around the automobile. I learned about the problems that stemmed from those changes and realized urban planning and design brought together some of my favorite interests, including history and geography.
What has your experience been like working at Planning NEXT so far?
Everyone is so welcoming and willing to help. As my first office job, everyone has welcomed me with open arms, and I’ve jumped straight into assisting with projects and developing technical skills in Adobe and GIS.
What parts of planning are you most interested in?
I like them all! If I had to pick a favorite, I would say research and community work. I love learning about each municipality, county or place I’m working on, exploring its history, and discovering ways to address their needs to shape a better future for the benefit of all residents.
