Member Spotlight Printable Version Congratulations from the Potomac Chapter to Dennis Carmichael, FASLA, Rob Tilson, ASLA, and Elliot Rhodeside, FASLA. Dennis Carmichael, FASLA Named 2005 National ASLA President-Elect Dennis will assume office as President-Elect at the conclusion of the 2004 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City. Thoughts on being elected ASLA President "This is an honor, an opportunity and a great challenge. In any field, the honor that matters most is the honor given you by your peers. I look forward to repaying their endorsement by working hard to further the profession we share and love." Concept and Aims Statement We stand on the edge of greatness as landscape architects at the beginning of the twenty-first century-the green century. This is our century. The issues we face will become urgent in the coming decades: fresh water, clean air, and healthy communities. These are opportunities for us to effect positive change. Our greatest strength is our breadth of skills. Our greatest weakness is the perception that we are a fragmented Society of specialists. My goal is to change that perception and to promote landscape architects as the leading practitioners in environmental design. To that end, I would like to focus my term on public awareness and licensure. We know that a majority of Americans consider themselves environmentalists. We know that when people understand what we do, they are delighted at our contributions to quality of life. What is missing is an understanding of our profession by the general public. Landscape Architecture is a great magazine. However, it reaches only 20,000 people. Why not Time and Newsweek? The radio ads on NPR are excellent, but why not Discovery Channel and Today Show? Our speakers bureau is good, but better would be a landscape architect as a keynote speaker at the national meetings of AIA, APA, and ULI. In short, my vision is for us to step to the next level of public awareness. On licensure, I wholeheartedly support the goal of 50 by 2010. By supporting licensure, we validate landscape architecture on par with architecture and engineering. I would link a public awareness campaign with our licensure effort, so that we may favorably persuade states that we create solutions to problems of health and public safety. Licensure benefits more than just the private practitioner, and we should promote that fact. The prestige of a license should be used to recruit students; to elevate the status of academic departments; and to earn respect for public practitioners. In truth, we all benefit from the status bestowed upon us by licensure. As landscape architects, I believe it is time for us to step up. It is our century. Together, let's lead the way. Robert B. Tilson, ASLA Elected Vice President, Information and Practice Rob has been active in the Washington, DC metropolitan area promoting the profession of landscape architecture either through his involvement with ASLA or his practice. In 1988, Rob received his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture degree from Purdue University. He is a Certified Landscape Architect in the state of Virginia. After graduating from Purdue University, Rob was employed as a landscape architect and project manager with the nationally recognized architectural and engineering firm, Dewberry & Davis. From 1993 to 1997, Rob served as Director of Design/Build Operations for one of the nation's leading landscape contractors, Chapel Valley Landscape Company. Utilizing his design and construction experience, Rob formed Tilson Landscape Company in 1997. Tilson Landscape Company specializes in design/build projects for commercial and residential clients. Rob oversees all aspects of the business including the design/build operations, the construction management operations and the landscape architectural work. In 2002, Tilson Landscape Company was named by INC Magazine as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. Rob's involvement in ASLA began 1989 when he was appointed by the Potomac Chapter Executive Committee to serve as newsletter editor. Rob held a variety of other positions and from 1993 through 1995, Rob, served as President of the Potomac Chapter. During his tenure as president, Rob oversaw a strategic planning effort for the chapter. This plan was instrumental in recruiting new members to the volunteer ranks and increasing the capital budget of the chapter. He recently completed two consecutive terms on the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2003. Rob has served the society and in many different capacities including Public Affairs Committee, Chairman of the Potomac Chapter Nominating Committee, and most recently represented the Board of Trustees to the Landscape Architecture Foundation Board. Rob is committed to enhancing the profession of landscape architecture through ASLA. His continual and consistent presence both locally and nationally has given him solid experience as a leader within the ASLA. He looks forward to serving as Vice President of Information and Practice. Elliot Rhodeside, FASLA Elected to the ASLA Council of Fellows for Works of Landscape Architecture Thoughts on being honored as an ASLA Fellow "My involvement in ASLA and the profession of landscape architecture has been very rewarding, so it is a tremendous honor to be recognized as a Fellow. I have been amazed to see how far the profession has come over the past 40 years and the impact it has made worldwide. I look forward to continuing to work with the public to help people understand the critical role that we as landscape architects can play in shaping our communities." Biography Elliot's achievements during his 37-year career have helped to preserve and enrich communities and our cultural landscape heritage, and have had a profound impact upon the practice of landscape architecture. He is a disciplined and highly visionary advocate, practitioner, mentor, educator, and collaborator. As co-founder of the award-winning firm of Rhodeside & Harwell Incorporated, Elliot has created a practice that has consistently demonstrated leadership and professionalism in the field of landscape architecture. Notable commissions under his direction have included such seminal projects as the Arlington National Cemetery Master Plan; the Capitol Square Landscape Master Plan in Richmond, Virginia; the Alexandria Central Library in Virginia, completed with Michael Graves; and the Fort Belvoir Installation Design Guide, a national award-winning effort that has served as a worldwide model for the US Army Corps of Engineers. Current work of note includes the creation of new public spaces and exhibit areas for the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the National Zoological Park in the District of Columbia; the creation of an archeological park at historic Portland Wharf in Louisville, Kentucky; rehabilitation of historic Meridian Hill Park, Montrose Park, Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorial and Judiciary Square in the District of Columbia; and landscape design for the expansion of the Phillips Collection museum in Washington, DC.