Chapter Planning Profile: Susan Myerov, AICP
While attending one of the Chapter’s annual conferences, or perhaps when working on watershed planning, you may have met Susan Myerov, the Watersheds Program Director for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC). Sue’s work for PEC takes her all over the state, and to learn more about her watershed team, check out this story.
We had a chance to catch up with Sue to hear about her career and interests.
What’s your favorite place in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is such a beautiful state that it’s challenging to pick just one location. The Jim Thorpe area, with its historic town, connected trail system, and beautiful setting comes to mind. Of course, the City of Philadelphia where I grew up and currently work and my community in Abington Township need to be included. I live near the headwaters of the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Creek watershed, where I serve on the watershed board, and whose creek system flows through the township and provides some unique places to visit.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
An artist. I always liked drawing, theater, and music and have often been involved in putting together newsletters and other graphic communications. This has helped my work as a planner because I believe that planners are translators of information for the public.
What was your first planning job?
My first planning job was in Hartford, Connecticut, where I worked in redevelopment for 6 years. This is where I became interested in environmental planning, being involved in the revitalization of old riverfront land that had a lot of environmental issues.
What has changed in planning since you first started?
The way we share information has changed significantly. Nowadays, there are many more ways to convey information than existed in the old days of public meeting facilitation and newsletters. We now have social media, Google Earth, web-based design programs, GIS maps, satellite imagery – and even drone footage to help people understand planning ideas and context. I remember when taking a picture and putting a person in it digitally was really a big deal.
Who has influenced you?
I had a cousin, a professor at Penn State, who encouraged me to take my first introductory planning course. Then, Stan Lembeck, a professor of mine, helped direct me towards planning and my major of Man-Environment Relations. I also need to mention my friend and colleague at Heritage Conservancy, Mike Frank, who I admired for his depth of planning knowledge and his incredible ability to connect with his audience on any topic, something I still strive to do well.
Over the years, I have had the privilege to work with so many people who are passionate about the environment and have found they have influenced me in numerous ways.
I have to add that the planning community is great. Planners express interest in so many topics, and a conversation can go in lots of directions. I look forward to seeing my fellow planners at the annual chapter conference and always learn something new.
What three words best describe you?
Collaborative, thorough, considerate.
Where would we find you after work?
You’ll find me riding my bike or walking the local trails and natural areas in the region.
If you were “Planner Queen” for the day, what would you declare?
I would ask everyone to do one thing in their home that was sustainable to help the planet and environment. From planting a tree to using a rain barrel. There are so many different things we can do as individuals that together can make a huge difference in our communities.
