Washington, D.C., April 19, 2016—The American Society of Landscape Architects has elevated 28 members to the ASLA Council of Fellows for 2016. Fellowship is among the highest honors the ASLA bestows on members and recognizes the contributions of these individuals to their profession and society at large as demonstrated by their works, leadership and management, knowledge and service. The new class of Fellows will be recognized at the 2016 ASLA Annual Meeting & Expo, October 21-24, in New Orleans.

The designation of Fellow is conferred on individuals in recognition of exceptional accomplishments over a sustained period of time. Individuals considered for this distinction must be members of ASLA in good standing for at least 10 years and must be recommended to the Council of Fellows by the Executive Committee of their local chapter, the Executive Committee of ASLA or the Executive Committee of the Council of Fellows.

Kenneth Bates, ASLA
Durango Custom Works LLC
Durango, Colo.

Kenneth Bates, of Durango Custom Works, received his nomination, for Service, from the Florida Chapter. Throughout his career he has served the Society assiduously. He brought more visibility and expansiveness to his chapter’s awards program. He also halted a state deregulation threat in 2011 and thereby galvanized the Society’s membership as stewards of public health, safety and welfare. To him, every venue is an opportunity to advance the profession—from his extensive community service to volunteer work within ASLA at all levels.His government advocacy efforts and ability to expand national recognition of landscape architects and students have proven him a champion for his chosen profession. His leadership, including contributions as chair of the ASLA nationalChapter Presidents Council, serves as a fitting example of how selfless dedication can raise public awareness of the value of landscape architecture.

Cathrine Deino Blake, ASLA
Stanford University
Palo Alto, Calif.

Cathrine Deino Blake, of Stanford University, received her nomination, for Leadership/Management, from the Northern California Chapter. For the past 20 years she has been the university landscape architect for Stanford’s 500-acre campus, widely recognized for its spectacular beauty and landscape integrity. The landscape white paper she developed is the guiding philosophy for all current work done on the campus. During the university’s $5 billion building program, which has involved the nation’s most prestigious design firms, she has been the client representative solely responsible for bridging the heritage of Frederick Law Olmsted and Thomas Church with modern environmental concerns. Her leadership has raised awareness of the value of the campus landscape and raised the bar for all landscape architects. She initiates and manages the landscape infrastructure project budget of $3.5 million per year as she ensures thoughtful, appropriate, student-friendly and forward-thinking planning and design. 

Richard D. Centolella, ASLA
EDSA Inc.
Baltimore 

Richard Centolella, of EDSA, received his nomination, for Works, from the Maryland Chapter. His portfolio of more than 300 projects encompasses memorable works that shape the social, economic and environmental well-being for all who visit, work and play within them. He understands clients’ needs and gets to the core of programmatic issues, which has positively influenced the tourism industry and economic vitality of entire regions. He consistently and artfully deals with construction issues and permitting with a focus on authentic, experience-based design that respects cultural sensitivities. He exudes passion, engenders high expectations and constantly strives to pursue excellence and integrity. Because of the relationships he has skillfully developed around the globe and his ability to nurture the next generation of landscape architects, clients call him when they need creative design and an undying determination for getting projects built. 

Paula V. Cortés, ASLA
Cortés Associates
Cambridge, Mass. 

Paula Cortés, of Cortés Associates, received her nomination, for Service, from the Boston Chapter.   Through her award-winning work and community service leadership of multiple constituencies, hers is a showcase of the value and influence of landscape architecture and landscape architects. Protection and development of abandoned or underutilized open urban space are at the core of her passion for public betterment and longstanding service within the profession. Her gardens and public spaces, which includes extensive pro bono contributions, have become centers for community activity and respite and much-loved sites for wedding photographs, musical evenings, summer picnics, cooking classes and gardening workshops. Her conviction is to create more livable, inviting public landscapes. The many positive results of her leadership and skillful design are impressive evidence of her energy and commitment to the profession and the many people her work has blessed. 

Thomas R. Doolittle, ASLA
Alta Planning + Design
Cambridge, Mass.

Thomas Doolittle, of Alta Design + Planning, received his nomination, for Service, from the Boston Chapter. As an advocate for the profession and ASLA leader, he has advanced the public’s understanding of landscape architects’ contributions to vibrant public spaces and livable, walkable cities. He volunteers countless hours to connect with other professions, organizations and civic groups to improve the lives of those around him. His organizational skills are invaluable, and his dedication and commitment to the profession are clearly evident to those with whom he works. His balanced perspective and clear expression of ideas consistently provide solutions to critical concerns, most notably within the Government Affairs Advisory Committee, which includes representation on all sides of the political spectrum, and on the Transportation Alternatives Program towards sustainable pollination populations.

Lake Douglas, ASLA
Louisiana State University
New Orleans 

Lake Douglas, of Louisiana State University, received his nomination, for Knowledge, from the Louisiana Chapter. His expertise in American cultural landscape history—with particular focus on 19th century agriculture, horticulture and gardening—has resulted most recently in an exploration of the superlative agricultural reformer Thomas Affleck. His governance of peer-reviewed research continues to reveal the development of the profession. His critical literary work has provided volumes of new information about evolving environmental awareness, design theories, garden styles, garden workers and horticultural commerce. He has published extensively in academic journals, popular magazines, books and professional publications in America, Europe and Asia, most often with a focus on the intersection of landscape architecture and other disciplines. His long and distinguished career as a meticulous researcher and prolific writer to document American cultural landscape history has advanced profoundly the profession of landscape architecture. 

Gregory D. Duckworth, ASLA
Founder, Environmental Concepts LLC
Myrtle Beach, S.C. 

Gregory Duckworth, of Environmental Concepts LLC, received his nomination, for Service, from the South Carolina Chapter. In support of his profession, community, constituents and South Carolina, State Rep. Duckworth is a recognized leader in all his endeavors. He inspires others as he actively seeks service opportunities with passion, creativity and integrity. In the state legislature, his vision and experience as a landscape architect have propelled him to influential committee positions with oversight on issues of transportation, energy and the environment. His creativity and dedication are invaluable resources in addressing infrastructure improvement statewide as a means toward a better economic future. Earlier, while serving on the City of North Myrtle Beach Council, Duckworth contributed a tree-planting master plan and a focus on low-impact development and wind power generation that holds true to that city's ecological heritage as a premier Grand Strand destination. 

Eric Ernstberger, ASLA
Rundell Ernstberger Associates Inc.
Indianapolis 

Eric Ernstberger, of Rundell Ernstberger Associates, received his nomination, for Works, from the Indiana Chapter. His landscape designs reconnect communities. From small civic plazas and water features to massive urban redevelopment projects and durable spaces that host thousands of people, his work has received nearly 100 local, regional and national design awards and have been featured prominently in national design journals. He believes that carefully organized and detailed spaces for people to enjoy engage communities in a dialogue that strengthens relationships, and his creations are visited by millions of people each year. The development of Rundell Ernstberger Associates into one of the most respected design firms in the Midwest can be attributed to his extraordinary design creativity and graphic communication skills. He listens, observes and responds to his clients’ needs and presents design solutions that are innovative, inspired and attainable.