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Ronald L. Thomas, Former Director of Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission Among Panelists

Release Date: August 26, 2008

      BUFFALO, NEW YORK-Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP and the University of Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning's Urban Design Project are pleased to announce the panelists for the Western New York Economic and Land Development Forum scheduled the morning of Thursday, October 2, 2008 at the Adam's Mark Hotel.      
      The opening breakfast will include a panel session entitled "Growth and Development-A Regional Perspective" facilitated by Robert Shibley, Director of The Urban Design Project and Professor of Architecture and Planning at the University of Buffalo. Well-known lecturer and writer Ronald L. Thomas, the former Executive Director of the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, is among the panelists for the opening session. Thomas has played a major role in the development of national programs that have become mainstays of local planning. He most recently led the development of a comprehensive Smart-Growth oriented framework plan in partnership with the Chicago region's six counties and 270 municipalities, as well as countless civic and business leadership organizations. His Common Ground initiative produced the Regional 2040 Framework Plan, which has become a national model for community-based regional planning, utilizing leading edge computer and communication technology to guide smarter, more sustainable growth. The plan was named "Plan of the Year" in 2006 by the American Planners Association.       
       Local representatives joining Mr. Thomas include Brian Reilly, Commissioner of Economic Development, Permit and Inspection Services for the City of Buffalo; William M. Murray, Esq., Deputy Commissioner of Planning & Environmental Compliance for the County of Erie; and Dennis M. Penman, Executive Vice President of M.J. Peterson Development Company. 
       The half-day forum is designed to bring together developers, real estate, municipal and economic development professionals to discuss recent trends and issues related to the state of development in Western New York. For more information or to register visit www.jaeckle.com. 
To view a complete list of panelists and their concurrent sessions, click here