Past Executive Board Members
President 2014-2015 - James Aspery
James completed his Masters in Public Administration in May 2015. candidate, with a focus in City Management. Prior to graduation, James was working at the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation. He was an active Student Alumni member with the Cleveland Leadership Center, and a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. James also served as the Vice President for CSU APA for the 2013-2014 school year.
Vice President 2014-2015 - Meg Ryan Shockey
In May of 2015, Meg completed her Masters in Urban Planning, Development and Design. After shadowing former Cleveland Councilman Jay Westbrook and learning about the MUPDD program at CSU, she knew this was the right program for her. She is seeking a job in regional planning in the Cleveland area.
Education & Professional Development Chair 2014-2015 - Kate Warren
Kate Warren completed her Master of Public Administration and Certificate in Urban Economic Development in May of 2015. Kate is currently the Policy and Planning Assistant for The Center for Community Solutions. After completing her undergraduate degree at CSU in 2010, she worked in various capacities with homeless and at-risk men, women, & children at The City Mission. She currently volunteers as a mentor for teens in the Clark-Fulton and Tremont neighborhoods of Cleveland. She is a proud Clevelander who is passionate about urban issues, social justice, and public service.
Secretary 2014-2015 - Julia Schnell
In May 2015, Julia completed her Master's of Urban Planing Development and Design. iOutside of CSU, Julia is an advocate for transportation equality through her membership in Bike Cleveland and her role as board secretary of that org. and chair of its Membership and Marketing Committee. She also works to encourage political participation among young people. In spring of 2014 she finished a fellowship with the New Leaders' Council and currently leads curriculum development for that organization's local chapter.
President 2013-2014 - Maria Rokakis
Maria completed her Masters in Public Administration in May 2014. She served as the CSU APA President for the 2013-2014
school year, and the First Year Representative during the 2012-2013 school year. Following graduation, Maria began working as a Business Analyst at the Greater Cleveland RTA. As a Management Development Program participant, she will spend the next 18 months rotating through various departments at GCRTA in order to prepare her for a management position. When not at work, Maria likes to spend time with her fiancé and their 4-year-old son, ride her bike, and enjoy Cleveland's great restaurants. And yes, she takes the train to work! She can be reached at [email protected]
school year, and the First Year Representative during the 2012-2013 school year. Following graduation, Maria began working as a Business Analyst at the Greater Cleveland RTA. As a Management Development Program participant, she will spend the next 18 months rotating through various departments at GCRTA in order to prepare her for a management position. When not at work, Maria likes to spend time with her fiancé and their 4-year-old son, ride her bike, and enjoy Cleveland's great restaurants. And yes, she takes the train to work! She can be reached at [email protected]
President 2012-2013 - Jared Robbins
Jared was the CSU APA President for the 2012-2013 school year. In May 2013 he graduated with a Master of Arts in Environmental Studies (MAES) degree, with a specialization in environmental planning. He previously served as the CSU APA First Year Representative, and currently serves as the treasurer for the City Year Cleveland Alumni Association. Upon graduation, Jared was hired by the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) and is building public support for a major LEEDCo project.
Vice President 2012-2013 - Gregory SJ Soltis
Greg served as Vice President of the CSU APA during the 2012-2013 school year. In May 2013 he graduated with a Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development (MUPDD) degree, with focuses in Neighborhood Development & Urban Design. While a student, Greg worked in the GIS Cartography Studio as a GA for Dr. Mark Salling and Kirby Date. The studio is located on the lower level of the Levin College at NODIS (Northern Ohio Data and Information Services). Greg also has an interest in historic preservation and leads the group City Beautiful; a young professionals organization dedicated to promoting the appreciation of Cleveland's unique built environment.
Education & Professional Development Chair 2012-2013- Ryan McBrayer
Ryan earned his Master of Arts in Environmental Studies (MAES) in December 2014, he specialized in Environmental Policy and Administration. As an active APA member, he served as the Education & Professional Development Chair during the 2012-2013 school year. He was also a member of The Student Environmental Movement and Net Impact throughout his years at CSU. Ryan also received his GIS certificate in 2011. As of August 2014, Ryan was elected as a board member to the Cleveland State University Alumni Association (CSUAA). Currently, Ryan works at Sherwin Williams at their world headquarters in downtown Cleveland as an Environmental Legal Regulator. Ryan can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected]
Treasurer 2012-2013 - Steven Zimmerman
Steven Zimmerman was Treasurer of the CSU APA during the 2012-2013 school year. He graduated from CSU in May of 2013 and is entering his second year of his Master's in City and Regional Planning at Rutgers University. Steven also works part time at the Regional Plan Association in New York City, where he is drafting a report on the infrastructure needs on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor between New York and New Jersey.
Secretary 2012-2013 - Kacey Zeiser
Kacey now holds a Master of Arts in Environmental Studies (MAES) from the Levin College. She was the Secretary for the CSU APA during the 2012-2013 school year. Kacey also holds a BS in Biology from John Carroll University, and is interested in the coordination of sustainable efforts on college campuses. Following her graduation from Cleveland State, Kacey backpacked through Europe.
Treasurer 2011-2012 - Andrea Bruno
Andrea Bruno serves as St Clair Superior Development Corporation’s Housing Manager. She began with SCSDC in July 2011 as a summer intern through the Summer in the City program at Cleveland State University. Andrea is the lead contact person for the code enforcement partnership with SCSDC and the City of Cleveland. Andrea helps with the implementation of reutilization projects
pertaining to vacant land and vacant housing reuse, such as the Reimagining Cleveland Stabilization Program, and the regionally known, LoftHome rehab project. Andrea’s newest project at SCSDC, called Edible History, aims to restore vacant historic structures while delivering targeted community needs. Andrea sits on the Board for The Housing Research and Advocacy Center.
In 2012, Andrea completed her Master’s in Urban Planning, Design and Development at Cleveland State University. In the same year, she also completed her Master’s in Business Administration at Lake Erie College. Andrea received her Bachelors of Arts from Mount Union College in Business Administration in 2009. She served as Treasurer of CSU APA from 2011-2012. She can be reached at [email protected]
pertaining to vacant land and vacant housing reuse, such as the Reimagining Cleveland Stabilization Program, and the regionally known, LoftHome rehab project. Andrea’s newest project at SCSDC, called Edible History, aims to restore vacant historic structures while delivering targeted community needs. Andrea sits on the Board for The Housing Research and Advocacy Center.
In 2012, Andrea completed her Master’s in Urban Planning, Design and Development at Cleveland State University. In the same year, she also completed her Master’s in Business Administration at Lake Erie College. Andrea received her Bachelors of Arts from Mount Union College in Business Administration in 2009. She served as Treasurer of CSU APA from 2011-2012. She can be reached at [email protected]
President 2010-2012 - Andrew Gotlieb
Andrew was the CSU APA president during the 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 years. Prior to that he served as APA social chair. He is currently a zoning analyst at Millman National Land Services.
Professional Development Chair- Bryce Sylvester
Bryce is a city planner in Lakewood working closely on the city’s housing and entrepreneurship initiatives, along with implementing the city’s bicycle master plan. In December 2011 he graduated from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs with a Master’s in Urban Planning, Design, & Development. Recently, he helped lead a Residential Housing Survey in Lakewood to gain a better understanding of the state of housing in Lakewood, which will play a significant role in the city’s future planning and residential development. Additionally, he is co-running Lakewood’s entrepreneurship organization Startup Lakewood, which is geared toward making Lakewood a more appealing place for entrepreneurs to build and grow ideas into legitimate businesses.