The Sagecrest P + E Team
The Sagecrest Planning + Environmental team is comprised of a diverse group of planners and other professionals with expertise in urban planning and design, environmental planning, public policy, and project management. Our staff is recognized for a collaborative and insightful approach that results in high quality work and proven results.
"Leadership is unlocking people's potential to become better."
Bill Bradley
Management
Amy has worked as a professional planner since 1999 with expertise in discretionary case processing, specific plans, general plans, project management, and environmental analysis. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Analysis and Design from the University of California, Irvine. Amy was a competitive snow boarder in college and still loves to hit the slopes as often as she can.
Amy Vazquez
President
Lindsay has worked in the public sector since 2004. She has extensive experience in planning, development, marketing, and community engagement and outreach. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with an emphasis in American Politics from UCLA and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from UCI. Lindsay can also be referred to as “Lady Lindsay Horn Ortega of Chaol Ghleann” as she owns a small piece of the Dunans Castle in Scotland.
Lindsay Ortega, AICP
Vice President
Laurel has extensive experience working in jurisdictions throughout the West Coast. She's written various code amendments and is a subject matter expert in wireless telecommunications. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from University of California, Irvine. In Laurel’s spare time she likes to indulge in reality dating tv shows.
Laura Reimer, AICP
Senior Project Manager
David has been a professional planner since1998 and has worked for multiple jurisdictions. As a Senior Project Manager David assists our governmental clients with management of large entitlement projects, planning studies, and ordinance preparation. He supports our private clients with entitlement and project management. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Analysis and Design from the UCI. It is a goal of David to go to every county fair in California.
David Blumenthal, AICP
Senior Project Manager
Emily has worked in marketing, creative services, event planning, and account management since 1995. She supports the management team with administrative duties, human resources, marketing, and social media. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Public Relations from California State University, Fullerton. Emily has a historical Presidential presence in her family tree.
Emily Tragos
Executive Assistant
The Team
Alejandro is a dedicated planner working with the Development Services team. His experience includes working in the public sector for multiple jurisdictions. Alejandro works closely with ADUs, multi-family developments, and a variety of CUPs, while staying up to date with state laws. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning with an emphasis in Resiliency, Sustainability, and the Environment from Cal Poly Pomona. Outside of his professional life he enjoys playing the guitar and drums and is an avid concert goer.
Alejandro De Loera
Assistant Planner
Art’s career spans over three decades and includes serving as a Planning Manager and Planning Director. He’s been a part of the Sagecrest team since 2018 providing planning services and managing special projects. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography/Anthropology and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Cal Poly Pomona. His free time is spent exploring, finding hidden gems and learning about people and cultures within current surroundings and in foreign lands and places in between.
Art Bashmakian, AICP
Senior Project Manager
Cas started her professional planning career in 2020 and has provided support across all areas of planning and development for private and public sectors including supporting the jurisdictions of Seal Beach, San Juan Capistrano, and Westminster. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning with an emphasis in Resiliency, Sustainability, and the Environment with a minor in Regenerative Studies from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. In her free time Cas enjoys using her talents to create abstract art projects.
Cas Smit
Assistant Planner
Jerry brings a comprehensive set of skills that entails a passion in community and economic development. He has aided with economic growth for local businesses using qualitative methods to increase productivity. He has experience in managing a multitude of entitlements. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning with an emphasis in Community Development and Social Justice from Cal Poly Pomona. Jerry is an avid hiker and gym enthusiast who is always looking for the next challenge.
Jerry Clemente
Assistant Planner
Kelly is a planning professional with over ten years of experience in municipal current planning. Her specialties include comprehensive entitlement and environmental document preparation and review, as well as preservation planning and design review for historic properties from the late 19th to mid-20th century. She earned a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Oregon. In her free time Kelly enjoys many types of fiber arts, including knitting, sewing, quilting, and cross-stitch.
Kelly Ribuffo
Project Manager
Michelle has been a professional planner since 2008. Her experience includes a variety of long range and current planning projects, as well as public outreach and staffing services. She manages a high volume of cannabis conditional use permit applications for the City of Costa Mesa. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in City and Regional Planning with an emphasis in Geography and Anthropology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Michelle enjoys searching unique real estate listings as one of her favorite past times.
Michelle Halligan
Senior Planner
Liane has been a planning professional since1992 serving multiple jurisdictions. She works with public agencies to manage and process complex discretionary projects, as well as coordinating advanced planning studies. She is adept at processing planning applications and provides excellent service to applicants, developers, consultants, the general public regarding. Liane loves the outdoors and camping and also enjoys traveling abroad where she can put her Spanish and German speaking skills to good use.
Liane Schuller
Senior Planner
Ray has been a professional planner since 1987. His experience has been serving jurisdictions in both Orange and Los Angeles Counties where he managed a variety of projects through the entitlement and CEQA processes. As a Planning Manager he supports the jurisdictions of Villa Park and Orange. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Cal Poly Pomona. Outside of his professional life, Ray paddles Hawaiian outrigger canoes, rides mountain bikes, and is an avid reader.
Ray Pascua
Planning Manager
Marlene has been a dedicated planner since 2019 with experience in the public sector. Her expertise is in processing formal applications and permits, providing plan checks, and responding to public inquiries. She is skilled in project management and known for providing excellent customer service. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach. Marlene studied in Italy her last year of college and would like to continue her travels abroad.
Marlene Vega
Assistant Planner
Rosalinh has been a professional planner since1988. Her experience allows her to specialize in large-scale, complex and highly political-sensitive projects. In supporting the City of Riverside, she’s responsible for reviewing land use entitlement applications and technical studies. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Cal Poly Pomona. Rosalinh enjoys spending time with her family, traveling at a moment's notice, and cooking international dishes.
Rosalinh Ung
Principal Planner
Mel has been a certified planner since 1990. His expertise includes processing ADU's, ordinances, current planning and managing outside consultants. Mel has extensive experience in both Orange and Los Angeles counties. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from California State University Polytechnic, Pomona. Mel retired in 2020 from the public sector; however still enjoys supporting the jurisdiction of Artesia through Sagecrest.
Mel Lee, AICP
Senior Planner
Sarah is a dedicated planner working with the Development Services team as well as supporting multiple jurisdictions in the public sector. She brings years of experience in zoning and permitting for wireless communication facilities, ADU’s, plan checks, and processing entitlements for commercial and residential projects. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning with an emphasis in Sustainability from Cal Poly Pomona. In her free time Sarah enjoys visiting art museums.
Sarah Zughayer
Assistant Planner
Simin has worked in the areas of planning, development, and engineering since 2015. She has extensive experience managing entitlement applications on our Entitlement Services team and has worked as a planner in several jurisdictions. She has managed complex projects including ADU Design Guidelines, Conditional Use Permits, and Development Reviews. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Development Engineering from Iran and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the UCI. Simin enjoys cooking and prides herself on making the best homemade pizza.
Simin Zakavand
Project Manager
With over 25 years of experience Vanessa has worked in various jurisdictions as a Senior Planner including delivering a wide variety of current and advanced planning tasks. Vanessa is a results-oriented professional with the ability to work collaboratively with municipalities to forge strong working relationships and partnerships within the community. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. A fun fact about Vanessa is she’s a motorcycle riding grandma.
Vanessa Norwood
Senior Planner
Clementine started her career as a SageCat in 2022 when she moved into the San Juan Capistrano office. While Clementine supports the entire team, she has a special affinity with stealing our Executive Assistant's chair. Her favorite nap spot is on top of the bookshelf in Amy's office. She is also the reigning champ in office cat parkour.
Lady Clementine
SageCat
Winston joined the Sagecrest team in 2022 and quickly made the office his home. He loves to be held and does not believe in leaving an empty box unexplored. Winston can typically be found napping in the office at the top of the stairs or on a desk.
Sir Winston
SageCat