Mark W. van der Zalm:  Landscape Architect, csla, bcsla, oala, asla Mark is the founding principal of VDZ. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Simon Fraser University he went on to complete his Masters of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning degree at Utah State University. The experiences garnered whilst studying and working abroad instilled a strong desire to pursue a career in Landscape architecture and ultimately create a capable and reputable design firm. Mark has worked in a variety of public and private sector positions and has managed projects from both a consultant and municipal staff point of view. Mark is a frequent speaker at recreation planning events and national symposiums related to park design and development. Mark maintains active participation in all projects undertaken by the firm and works with small staff teams to achieve objectives and deadlines. Mark is a registered landscape architect in BC, Ontario, as well as Washington State, Oregon, Wisconsin, and a pending member in Arizona and Texas. 604.882.0024 x 22  |  mark@vdz.ca
	Qiang Shan:  Landscape Architect and Architect Shan joins VDZ from RSP planners, architects, and engineers of Singapore. He is trained as an architect, landscape architect and civil engineer. Shan received his formal education at the prestigious Jilin Institute of Architecture & Civil Engineering. His vast experience as a project leader within his former - 450 person design firm, has been invaluable to the VDZ work environment. Shan's ability to conceptualize complex design solutions as well as lead the translation to working drawings have enabled VDZ to push forward and accept larger, more complex urban design projects. Shan has opened VDZ international in Beijing. He is the office manager and operating principal. Currently VDZ international is engaged in large scale masterplanning, and detail design development for resorts, and new communities. 604.882.0024  |  shan@vdz.ca
	Ryan Crago:  Landscape Architect / Senior Project Manager Ryan received his Masters degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of British Columbia. He holds a professional diploma in Golf Course Architecture from the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, as well as a Bachelor of Science from McGill University, Montreal. Ryan believes that the integration of the environment with human use is essential in creating functional, sustainable landscapes and communities. He strives to create innovative design and construction solutions to minimize the impact of recreational and built landscapes on our natural surroundings. 604.882.0024 x 30  |  ryan@vdz.ca
	David Jerke:  Detail Development / Stormwater Management / Irrigation Design David has designed parks all over North America and Asia including designs in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Washington, Texas, British Columbia, and Alberta. His designs in the private sector include multi-family housing projects, commercial/industrial landscapes, and senior care facilities. His technical knowledge of the construction industry as well as design expertise make him an excellent on-site designer and contract administrator. David is currently a registered landscape architect in the state of Minnesota. 604.882.0024  |  davidj@vdz.ca
	Rajinder Singh:  Technical Design Development / Landscape Architecture Rajinder joins VDZ from Lombard North Planning Group, Winnipeg, and Murayama Associates - Vancouver. He received his Masters degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Manitoba and is a Registered Landscape Architect in the province of Manitoba. Rajinder has over 9 years experience in landscape architecture, planning, and in technical design development. 604.882.0024 x 23  |  raj@vdz.ca
	Jacqueline Lowe:  Sustainability and Communications / Landscape Architecture Jacqueline has started off her professional career learning from a wide variety of landscape architectural practices across North America. Her diverse exposure to different environments and planning strategies has inspired her to engage the profession wherever possible and challenge herself to learn something new in everything she does. Her project experience ranges in community planning, institutional design, transportation design, recreational planning, and urban design. Jacqueline will be responsible for all graphic communication, design development presentation drawings, and will assist with technical drawing development. 604.882.0024 x 29  |  jaki@vdz.ca
	Mark Synan:  Design Development / Landscape Architecture Mark has joined VDZ from Bath, England, UK. He has 8 years of professional experience, and became a Chartered Landscape Architect with the British Landscape Institute in 2007. He has organized, managed and assisted on a wide variety of landscape projects in Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Canada. Project experience ranges from award winning park and recreation development, residential, hospitals, business parks, historic cemetery restoration, highway proposals, and park and rides. He has a degree and a post graduate degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK. Mark also has 1 year experience in the landscape construction industry, working as a Landscape Foreman/Skilled Worker in Vancouver, implementing a number of high profile landscape construction projects for the 2010 Winter Olympics. 604.882.0024 x 32  |  msynan@vdz.ca
	Stephen Heller:  Design Development / Landscape Architecture Stephen comes to VDZ from Alberta by way of Guelph, Ontario and the esteemed landscape architecture program there. His formal training at NAIT combined with ongoing project experience has afforded him a strong set of technical skills allowing him to generate unique solutions through detail design. As a member of the VDZ team, Stephen assists with all aspects of project development. 604.882.0024 x 28  |  stephen@vdz.ca
	Travis Martin:  Play Space Design / Design Development / Landscape Architecture Travis joins our team with a Bachelor of Urban Planning and a Master of Landscape Architecture. Studies in the Netherlands and an additional year of Mandarin studies in China have contributed to his world view, which values efficiently planned communities, safe peddle-powered transportation for all age groups, and the creation of fun and organic spaces. Travis’ work experience crosses the public and private sectors in planning, landscape architecture and landscape construction. Travis has designed a number of local "nature play" spaces that encourage youngster’s interests in exploration and promote creative and imaginative play. He strives to design spaces that are multifunctional, inspire joyful use and that are technically sound. 604-882-0024 x 25  |  travis@vdz.ca
	Shaun Smakal:  Design Development / Landscape Architecture Shaun comes to VDZ with a B.Sc. degree in Resource Planning , a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture, and over 3 years of experience working as a landscape and urban designer/planner in his former home of Flint, MI. His past academic and professional work has focused on the convergence of small- to large-scale infrastructure and landscape in urban areas, urban revitalization, regenerative /sustainable landscapes, small-scale landscape interventions, and the collaborative design/planning process. His projects have included the first MDOT-vetted porous asphalt pedestrian trail in the State of Michigan, a pilot project with the ASLA’s Sustainable Sites Initiative, and a district-scale revitalization project for downtown’s Flint’s historic alleys and Riverbank Park, the later designed by Lawrence Halprin and Steven Holl. A tireless and passionate advocate for the potential of sustainable, urban, pedestrian-focused landscapes and infrastructure, he’s excited to be a part of the VDZ team. 604-882-0024 x 24  |  shaun@vdz.ca
	Matt Lundin:  Design and Technical Development Matt has extensive experience in the preparation of technical drawings for a variety of landscape architectural projects specialising in Youth Parks and Skateparks. His experiences in working on over fifty different youth related parks and recreation projects have provided a solid understanding of the requirements needed to provide comprehensive drawings for construction and tenders. Matt is committed to the improvement of Public Parks through thoughtful planning. With each new project the ultimate goal is to create a sense of place that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. 604.882.0024  |  matt@vdz.ca
	Adam Parker:  Civil Engineer / Stormwater Specialist Adam has expertise in the fields of Civil and Water Resource Engineering. He has successfully completed residential, commercial, institutional and public sector projects. He has worked both as a project designer and as an administrator, Municipal Stormwater Permit Coordinator and plan reviewer. His knowledge and experience of multiple disciplines in the engineering, planning and design fields are used extensively to ensure proper project facilitation. Adam is also trained as a RTK GPS survey technician and has performed GPS surveys and data collection as part of his day to day activities. 604-882-0024  |  adam@vdz.ca
	Austin Peterson:  Certified Arborist Austin is a certified arborist and horticulturalist. He has worked in both public sector positions as an urban forestor and in private sector positions as a project manager and field arborist. Austin provides VDZ with the ability to prepare detailed tree survey plans plans, tree retention strategies, and hazard tree assessments. Austin forms an invaluable part of our initial site assessment team and continues to supplement his many years of practical knowledge with attendance at International arborist conferences and workshops. Austin is an active community volunteer and works with the Township of Langley to plan and execute their formal arbour day celebrations on an annual basis. 604.614.3517  |  austin@vdz.ca
	Kelly Koome :  ISA Certified Arborist / Tree Risk Assessor / Organic Master Gardener Kelly has worked extensively in both the arboriculture and landscaping industry. His passion for sustainable development has given him unique opportunities within the industry. As an urban forester, he has worked with municipal governments as well as commercial developers. As an Organic Master Gardener he regularly presents workshops throughout the lower mainland on eco-friendly tree and landscaping practises. Kelly will be responsible for Arborist surveys, tree risk assessments, and construction guidelines around tree protection." 778-885-6777  |  kkoome@vdz.ca
	Dave Davies:  Landscape Architect - intern bcsla Dave received his Bachelors degree from the University of Guelph, Ontario. Dave has also studied at the London Polytechnic College in England.  Before joining VDZ+A, Dave has been a senior designer for Pamela Burton & Company, Santa Monica, CA., Mia Lehre, Los Angeles, CA. as well as CKI, Inc - Dubai, UAE.  Dave has a wealth of professional experience and has worked on such diverse proejcts as the Avenue of the Stars, Long Beach Veteran's Memorial, Maritime City, Dubai, and Universal Studios - Osaka, Japan, and most recently in Singapore.  Dave is a design director for VDZ+A and serves to guide the design process from initiation through to completion. 604.882.0024  |  dave@vdz.ca
	Ariel Stagni:  Project Coordinator/Administrator Toronto Ariel Stagni is a project coordinator and contract administrator for VDZ in Ontario. Ariel has a background in planning from Ryerson University and has an in-depth knowledge of parks development/construction with an emphasis on skatepark development. Ariel is a sponsored skateboarder who has traveled the world perfecting his kraft. His insight and intuition regarding skatepark development is an invaluable part of our consulting services. Ariel has served as the contract administrator on more than 10 concrete skateparks in Ontario. 604.882.0024  |  ariel@vdz.ca
	Kelly Keely:  Office Manager Kelly Keely is the VDZ+A office manager. Kelly is exceptionally organized and talented. She ensures that all human resource issues are managed affectively as well as client relations and accounts. Kelly is responsible for contract development, specification writing, and finance. 604.882.0024 x 21  |  kelly@vdz.ca
	Lisa Powers:  Marketing Communications Lisa uses her talent as a graphic designer to keep our print and web material up to date. She also multi-tasks as an office administrator. 604-882-0024  |  lisa@vdz.ca