Alumni Updates

Zachary Thomas

Zachary Thomas (Master of City and Regional Planning) has been appointed as Director of Development Services by South Lake Tahoe City Manager. Serving previously as the city’s housing manager, Thomas has 20 years of experience in the planning sector including housing development, land-use planning and project management. In his new role, Thomas will oversee the Building, Planning and Housing divisions.

Frisco White

Frisco White (Architecture) is stepping down from Carmel Valley Community Planning Board Chair after 22 years of service. Being a Carmel Valley resident since 1997, White has helped build the community around him and his family. He previously served on the San Diego Planning Commission and is currently the Lead Design Partner for Westberg White Architecture. His work experience includes projects in commercial, residential and educational sectors.

Ashley Richardson

Ashley Richardson (Architecture) has recently made partner at Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects. She has worked at the Culver City EYRC office since 2014, managing projects at University of California San Diego and the Pendry Hotel + Residences. Richardson is engaged in AIALA as the 2022 Past Co-Chair of the Women in Architecture Committee and as a former chair of the Design Awards Committee.

Sarah Cawrse

Sarah Cawrse (Landscape Architecture) has been promoted to Executive Director, Urban Strategy and Design for the RiNo Art District, a nonprofit arts organization in Denver that fosters community through art and design. In this role, Cawrse will oversee economic, public realm, and infrastructure initiatives for the Business Improvement District and General Improvement District. Prior to joining RiNo Art District in 2023, Cawrse served as a Principal City Planner and Urban Designer for the City of Boulder. She also spent five years at the City and County of Denver as a planner and urban designer. She currently serves on the Denver Planning Board and is a member of the Cal Poly Landscape Architecture Department Advisory Council.

Megan Jost

Megan Jost (Architecture) is using her watercolor skills to create her own catalog of artwork and has created two children’s books. Jost first learned watercolor during her time as a Cal Poly student and has kept up with it ever since. After moving to Truckee and starting her family, Jost began finding inspiration that fueled her art. She has since released “ABC Truckee,” “ABC Tahoe,” and is the illustrator of the children’s book “Ski Patrol Pups.”

Ron Elazar

Ron Elazar (Construction Management) has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Construction Operations at Morley Builders. Elazar has been with Morley since 1993 and will now oversee the General Contracting Business Unit project development, estimating, and construction operations. Elazar also holds a master’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and is a member of the University of Southern California’s Architectural Guild.

Theresa Mordaunt

Theresa Mordaunt (Structural Engineering) has been hired as senior project manager in the buildings and facilities department by civil engineering firm Exeltech Consulting. Mordaunt is licensed in multiple states and has 25 years of experience in design and expert knowledge in various material and structure types. Her work also includes restoration, repair and retrofit projects.

Maggie Redfern

Maggie Redfern (Architecture) has been named the director of the Connecticut College Arboretum, becoming the first woman director in the arboretum’s history. Redfern, who was previously associate director then interim director, coordinates the arboretum’s education programs, leads tours and manages the volunteer program. In 2020, she helped establish the non-profit organization “New London Trees,” which strives to increase the tree population in the surrounding communities.

Kwame Reed

Kwame Reed (City and Regional Planning) was recently named acting city manager for Antioch after a unanimous vote by the city council. Reed also works as the economic development director for Antioch, serves on the executive board of the Contra Costa County Workforce Development Board and co-chairs the Business and Economic Development Subcommittee. Reed has worked in the public sector for over 28 years, has been married for over 26 years to Cal Poly business alum CC Nues Reed, and is a father of three (17, 19 and 25).