KEITH CREEK - Key Persons
Alexis (Lexi) is a new member of The Lakota Group who recently graduated with her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and a Certificate of Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She believes that all places have a story, and she strives to strengthen each community's sense of place by expressing that story in the landscape. Lexi's schooling and previous internship provided her with a range of learning experiences covering site inventory and analysis, graphic creation, site design, planting design, urban planning and design, traditional neighborhood design, as well as international experience from a semester abroad.
Alexis is a planner and designer who has experience working on a wide range of project types, from mixed-use development master planning to placemaking initiatives to community-informed framework plans. Her multidisciplinary background has allowed her to work with numerous communities, public agencies, municipalities, and private developers to help achieve their visions for vibrant and resilient urban places.
She believes that innovative design is best achieved through comprehensive public engagement processes and is committed to working alongside communities to design places that are sustainable and livable. Alexis holds a Masters in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois, Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Geography from DePaul University.
Andrea brings over 30 years of experience in human resources and client relations to The Lakota Group. She has extensive experience leading HR initiatives including policy design, compensation, performance management, talent acquisition, training and development, and benefits administration.
Prior to the Lakota Group, Andrea worked at a large advertising firm and managed such clients as Hewlett-Packard and Proctor & Gamble. Her experience, which spans from large corporations to smaller firms, provides her with a unique perspective on business innovation, performance management, and strategic planning.
Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Art from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
Andy has nearly twenty years of experience as a municipal planner, first in a suburb of the Twin Cities and later as a Senior Planner in Highland Park, Illinois. Working with Preservation Commissions, Architecture Review Commissions, Plan Commissions, and City Councils, he has shaped local policy and helped citizen planners and preservationists make effective decisions through dedicated training and leadership. Andy has experience working with the development community, guiding them through the local regulatory environment to realize their vision while making a positive impact to the built environment and to the communities they are part of. Andy is an Advisor with DePaul University's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development, speaking in graduate courses and bringing planning professionals together through the Municipal Design Review Network to discuss common concerns and find creative solutions. Andy is also active with the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association, participating in regular events and presenting at annual State Planning Conferences.
Carlos holds a Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru in 2016. He has 7 years of experience in design practice in Chicago and previously in Lima, Peru.
He has worked on the planning, design and presentation of public open space projects including schools, education facilities, parks, playgrounds, plazas and streetscapes.
Hannah is a designer and planner whose background focuses on environmental design and urban planning with an emphasis in equitably driven community and economic development. Her experience has led her to work on a wide range of projects from city park designs and mixed-use developments to comprehensive planning and community engagement.
The intersection between design and public engagement fuels her passion to give voice to different groups and ideas, finding innovative solutions to complex problems. Hannah holds a Master of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois, Chicago and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Job Titles:
- Associate, Landscape Architecture
Jason brings a range of experience on projects, from conceptual design to construction oversight. His background in fine arts has lent him a design eye and the ability to easily translate a simple concept into a built form.
With over 12 years of experience, Jason has worked on a variety of projects-from healthcare, to recreational, to residential-all involving close client communication and coordination from the earliest design phase through construction. His in-depth knowledge of local residential ordinances from around the Chicago region makes him a go-to staffer at Lakota for overseeing residential design and construction projects. Jason holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ohio State University.
Job Titles:
- Leader
- Senior Economic Development Strategist
Josh is a leader in the revitalization of historic commercial districts and held senior positions at the National Main Street Center and The Community Land Use and Economics Group prior to joining Lakota. He uses local data to craft market-based strategies that help cities and communities build economically differentiated, dynamic places. He also has deep interest in social enterprise and community-owned businesses and he is the immediate past president of the board of Weavers Way Cooperative, a $35 million retailer in Philadelphia with three grocery stores, a pet supplies store, two health-and-beauty aid stores, a "Mercantile" gift shop, and 11,000 member-owner households.
Kevin brings 17 years of experience in urban planning and landscape architecture to The Lakota Group, where he oversees the firm's urban design projects. His award-winning portfolio spans downtown, transit-oriented and neighborhood revitalization plans, physical and economic development strategies, and innovative design of open spaces and public places. He is passionate about dynamic and interactive public processes and works to integrate innovative technology throughout all we do.
Kevin has been a featured guest speaker at state and regional planning conferences. His projects have won recognition from the American Planning Association, American Society of Landscape Architects, Congress for New Urbanism, and the Chicago Building Congress. Kevin holds a Masters in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Kentucky. He is a certified planner and registered landscape architect.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- New Team Member at the Lakota Group
Krista is a new team member at The Lakota Group who has recently completed her masters in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism from Illinois Institute of Technology. With a background in environmental consulting and geographic study, her approach to landscape begins with analysis of site history as well as ecological and social context. Functionality is a high priority, and Krista believes that every detail of the project should promote efficiency in addition to highlighting the character of the place.
As a new associate, Krista is looking forward to applying her previous experience to ensure designs are specially tailored to the client's needs as well as suited to the historical and ecological conditions of the site to enhance sustainability.
Morgan is a designer whose background focuses primarily on stormwater management and water conservation. Her experience spans a variety of scales, from producing land use master planning deliverables to site design construction documents. Highly inspired by the synergy between ecological systems and culturally defined human landscapes, she aims to provide comprehensive landscape solutions that establish a unique sense of place.
She is passionate about a variety of environmental issues and is committed to promoting conservation and restoration in both her personal and professional life. Morgan holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University and serves as Vice Chair of the Public Awareness Committee for the American Society of Landscape Architects, Illinois Chapter.
Nick brings over 25 years of experience in the accounting and finance industry to The Lakota Group. He is a CPA and a member of the Illinois CPA Society.
Prior to The Lakota Group he worked at a mid-sized accounting firm and was responsible for helping various clients with all of their accounting and tax related issues, and being able to solve those problems.
Nick holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Scott is the President and co-founder of The Lakota Group, and has over 30 years of experience in designing and shaping communities and open spaces around the country. As an industry leader in sustainable design, Scott has worked with cities, towns, developers, institutions, and non-profit agencies, using his skills in placemaking and urban design to create beautiful and engaging places.
Scott's work is centered around his passion for incorporating a fresh, simple, and inclusive approach to problem solving. The foundation of the firm's success is, and has always been, rooted in listening first. In addition to countless hours presenting to and working with communities across the country, Scott volunteers and has given back to the community and to future generations through guest lectures at universities around the country; conference speaking engagements; and former membership on the Winnetka Plan Commission, Winnetka Design Review Board, and Winnetka Parks Foundation. Scott is also a Steering Committee Member of the University of Wisconsin Madison Alumni Park Initiative.
Prior to starting Lakota, Scott worked at planning firms and an international architecture firm in Chicago. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He is a licensed Professional Landscape Architect and is actively involved in the American Society of Landscape Architects, the American Planning Association, the Society of Environmental Graphic Design, the Urban Land Institute, and the Lambda Alpha International. He is also the Managing Partner and Principal of Red Spade Environments.
Siraj is an architect and urban planner with experience in different fields of design. His portfolio includes a range of projects, such as downtown planning, placemaking, park and recreational master plans, unconventional public spaces, wayfinding and urban restoration. Siraj believes that good design is innovative, practical, and long lasting. His skill set ranges from computer-aided graphics, rendering, and branding to construction drawings and onsite fieldwork. Multidisciplinary design is his strong point, as he combines his architectural training with his urban design knowledge.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate, Landscape Architecture
Starting his career nearly 16 years ago with Lakota, Zac has developed an extensive background in landscape architecture, land planning, wayfinding signage, and community branding. Throughout his tenure with the firm, he has provided insight into small and large scale developments, community-wide land use studies, downtown master plans, streetscape design, and construction management. His long-standing clients have ranged from redevelopment committees, municipal planning staff, and commercial and residential private developers. Zac has a passion for the built environment and has grown to appreciate the level of planning, details, and flexibility involved in successfully implementing a vision.
Zac holds a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Purdue University. He has been recognized by the Illinois APA for his work on the Glenview downtown form-based code, and has lectured at local universities on the importance of appropriate environmental graphics and characteristics in landscape architecture projects.