By Thor Kamban Biberman for The Daily Transcript
Published March 22, 2023
The torch has been passed to the newest generation of landscape architects at KTUA with the retirement of Mike Singleton, long-time senior principal transportation planner, and Sharon Singleton, principal marketing director.
The firm, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, will now be led by Mark Carpenter, serving as principal resource manager, Brooke Whalen and Chris Langdon, serving as principal landscape architects, and Joe Punsalan, serving as the senior principal transportation planner. KTUA, which has approximately 30 employees, is currently working on an array of park projects throughout San Diego County as well as landscape work for the University of San Diego, San Diego State University, and Southwestern College.
“We have a broad, diverse portfolio,” said Langdon, who, with more than 28 years of experience, is part of the firm’s third generation. KTUA is very active in transportation planning as well, including a reimagining of Normal Street in the Mid-City area. A certified LEED designer, Langdon is responsible for managing a broad range of landscape architectural projects of varying scope, including small urban park sites, modernization and new construction of college and university campuses, and large multi-jurisdictional transit projects.
Langdon is focused on all aspects of project management, including project procurement, scope development, concept and design development, construction documentation and production, schedule management, cost management, and construction administration services. Additionally, Landon brings a very strong horticultural background to KTUA and leads efforts in water conservation design with turf reduction and low water-use landscape design. He is KTUA’s park and recreation market leader and has a passion for improving and creating healthy and active communities.
KTUA’s federal planning team is led by Carpenter, who is responsible for the scope development, cost estimation, client management, and quality control of all of the company’s federal planning projects.
“Mark’s leadership and ability to integrate scientific understanding, technical expertise, and planning/design principals has allowed him to focus on planning and design projects aimed at balancing the management of resources with development needs,” the company stated. Carpenter leverages two decades of federal planning, resource management, GIS analysis, site design, construction documentation and project administration experience “to ensure each project has a solid analytical foundation.”
Whalen, meanwhile, has a broad range of project experience in all phases of design and construction documentation along with master planning. “As a project manager, her focus is on maintaining regular client communication,” KTUA stated. “She has experience in meeting budgets and working within tight timelines. She is passionate about creating sustainable spaces that generate community identity and pride and provide opportunities for social interaction.”
Punsalan manages large-scale active transportation planning projects, such as complete street plans and corridor studies, active transportation plans, and first/last mile connectivity. He is responsible for scope development, data analysis, public engagement and facilitation of walk and roll audits and demonstration projects, report writing, grant writing and reporting, and staff and consultant team management. Punsalan has a background in GIS for mapping, research and analysis, and uses a simplified approach to displaying complex methodologies.
“As an avid cyclist, Joe understands the roadway conditions and obstacles that face cyclists and pedestrians,” KTUA stated. “Utilizing his first-hand knowledge, he applies federal, state, and regional standards to address these challenges and increase user safety.”
The Singletons leave behind a lasting legacy on KTUA. Some of Mike Singleton’s notable projects include HUD: Guidelines for Creating Walkable and Bikeable Communities Nationwide, Mid- City State Route 15 Centerline Bus Rapid Transit Stations, City of San Diego City Heights Urban Greening Plan, and the City of Lemon Grove Main Street Promenade.
A graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Mike joined KTUA in 1987 as a principal. He focused on expanding into different market areas, including transportation planning, transit design and planning, military planning, park master planning, traffic calming, complete streets, pedestrian safety, bike facility planning and design, and visual studies. He also assisted on resource management, fire management, habitat restoration, and watershed planning.
Sharon Singleton trained as a landscape architect at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1981. After joining KTUA in 1985, she worked as a project manager on several projects in San Diego. But she saw a need to lead the marketing and business development at KTUA.
“With her technical background as a landscape architect as well as her passion and leadership, she was able to make connections with key clients and form valuable relationships within the industry,” the company stated. “She also served on several boards throughout her career and was heavily involved in American Public Works Association (APWA), Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), Urban Land Institute, and Circulate San Diego.”
