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
David has been a professional planner since1998 and has worked for multiple jurisdictions. As a Principal, David manages advanced planning assignments and complex large-scale development projects. He is the lead in supporting our clients while assisting in growing all three of our divisions, with a focus on our advanced planning, large-scale and special projects. 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
Principal
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.
Laurel Reimer, 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, AICP Candidate
Assistant Planner
Andy has been proudly serving the communities of Orange County since 2003 as a firefighter/paramedic. With his extensive experience in managing operations, problem solving, and communications, he is responsible for all office systems to ensure day-to-day functionality and efficiency. Andy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach along with an Associate of Science degree in Fire Science from Santa Ana College. When there is a free moment Andy jumps at the chance to be either on the golf course, the ocean, or the mountains.
Andy Vazquez
Office Manager
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 sector clients. 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
Senior Project Manager
Mario has been a professional planner since 2014. He started his career with an emphasis on transportation planning and has recently supported multiple jurisdictions with his city planning expertise. He has managed complex projects including multi-family development projects, mixed-use projects, and various entitlement projects. Mario earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Cal Poly Pomona and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. In his free time Mario is learning how to cook and speak Italian.
Mario Arellano
Associate 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
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 is an expert in creating and managing cannabis permitting programs. 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
Nick has began his professional planning career in 2000. He has extensive experience on complex and sensitive projects including infill residential, commercial projects, and park and recreation projects. He is responsible for processing entitlements and plan checks, grant administration, and record management. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Planning from California State University, San Francisco. Outside of his professional life, Nick enjoys everything outdoors including snowboarding, surfing, and camping
Nick Lagura, AICP
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 multiple jurisdictions. 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
Rosalinh has been a professional planner since 1988. Her experience allows her to specialize in large-scale, complex and highly political-sensitive projects. 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
Sarah is a dedicated professional planner with experience in property research, generating real estate reports and drafting staff reports. Working as a Planning Technician she works closely on counter plan checks, processing entitlements and providing customer service. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Science from the University of Wisconsin. Sarah enjoys spending her down time exploring the local surroundings with her two huskies and likes perfecting her craft of macrame.
Sarah Olsen
Planning Technician
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, AICP
Project Manager
Vanessa began her professional planning experience in 1998 and 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 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