American Institute of Certified Planners honors Springfield planning director

The American Institute of Certified Planners College of Fellows has inducted city of Springfield staffer Brendan Griesemer into its College of Fellows.

Griesemer, assistant planning and development director for the city, was recognized last month at the American Planning Association’s National Planning Conference in San Diego, according to a news release. He was one of 53 planners inducted into the AICP College of Fellows nationwide.

"He is the fourth Missouri planner to be inducted into the college and the first planner in southern Missouri," officials said in the release.

The AICP website indicates induction into the College of Fellows is the highest honor bestowed by the organization. Nominated and selected by peers, fellows are selected to recognize their contributions to the professional planning occupation.

A city employee since 1996 who took on his current role in 2017, Griesemer is credited with leading the creation and development of the Springfield Community Land Trust, helping to establishing an Affordable Housing Center, increasing engagement by creating a neighborhood planning initiative and founding a neighborhood cleanup program, according to the release.