Our Team

When you work with Kendig Keast Collaborative, you gain a trusted partner committed to helping your community thrive. Our urban planning team delivers solutions that go beyond visionary plans—they work in the real world, so you can achieve your community’s goals with confidence and clarity.

Communities across the United States choose our urban planning team to:

  • Solve Complex Challenges – From growth management and housing affordability to economic development and environmental resilience, we deliver practical strategies tailored to your community’s unique needs.
  • Protect Community Character – We balance progress with preservation, ensuring new development enhances the identity and quality of life that make your community unique.
  • Engage Stakeholders Effectively – Our creative and inclusive public engagement methods build trust, generate support, and ensure plans reflect the voices of residents, businesses, and stakeholders.
  • Turn Vision into Action – We help implement plans through clear policies, zoning codes, and regulatory tools that produce measurable results and lasting change.

With experience in more than 100 communities nationwide, our urban planning team combines innovative thinking with deep technical expertise. Whether it’s comprehensive plans, zoning updates, or urban design, we tailor every solution to help your community flourish—today and for generations to come.

Bret Keast, AICP - Owner and Chief Executive Officer

Bret C. Keast

AICP, Owner | Chief Executive Officer

Brian Mabry, AICP - President, Code Practice Leader

Brian Mabry

AICP, President

Gary Mitchell, AICP - Chief Operations Officer

Gary Mitchell

FAICP, Chief Operations Officer

Lane Kendig - Strategic Advisor

Lane Kendig

Strategic Advisor

Greg Flisram, AICP, CeCD - Principal Associate

Greg Flisram

CEcD, Principal

Steve Sizemore, PhD, AICP - Senior Associate

Steve Sizemore

PhD, AICP, Senior Associate

Janis Burall, AICP - Senior Associate

Janis Burall

AICP, Senior Associate

Jim Schaefer, PLA, ASLA - Senior Associate

Jim Schaefer

PLA, ASLA, Senior Associate

Jennifer Mak, AIA, NCARB, AICP, LEED Green Associate, Architect and Senior Urban Designer

Jennifer Mak

AIA, NCARB, AICP, LEED Green Associate, Architect and Senior Urban Designer

Marya Morris, FAICP - Principal Planner

Marya Morris

FAICP, Principal Planner

Ashley Woolsey - Associate

Ashley Woolsey

AICP, Advanced Associate

KKC Employee of the Year 2025

Grace Wurm

Grace Wurm

Associate

Sharon Cadena - Communication Design Associate

Sharon Cadena

Client Care and Operations Manager

Alexys Irwin - Codification Manager and Data Scientist

Alexys Irwin

Codification Manager & Data Scientist

Carlye Pichman

Client Relations & Project Manager

ECP Employee of the Year 2025

Vanessa Otero - Web & Graphic Producer

Vanessa Otero

Graphic, Web & Front-end Design

Sean

Sean Brennan

Software Developer

Genevieve Nelson

Associate Developer

Laurie Barnes headshot

Laurie Barnes

Project Build Associate

Amber Johnson headshot

Amber Johnson

Build Associate

Michele Begg headshot

Michele Begg

Document Technician

Kim Keast - Business Manager

Kimberlee Keast

Business Manager