Keith J. Villere, FASLA 110 East Seventh Avenue Covington, LA 70433 Phone: 985-869-2984
TOWN PLANNER / DESIGNER / CITY MANAGER 20 years of proven leadership in design and planning of the built environment with a proven track record of success. Career Profile Keith Villere is acknowledged as the community leader and elected official who revitalized downtown Covington. His training as a landscape architect has brought professional design and environmental planning to the forefront in St. Tammany Parish, the fastest growing parish (county) in Louisiana. Long an advocate of quality in community design, Villere is known throughout the state and region for his dedication to community and his ability to get results. He is a role model for the community in his tireless pursuit of quality design and programming in city government. He has worked his professional career with local, state and federal governmental agencies to improve the quality of life for his community. His impact is noticeable and recognized by all who reside in and visit the area. Villere was recently recognized by his peers as a Fellow of Landscape Architecture by the American Society of Landscape Architects. Professional Experience City of Covington, Louisiana July 1991 – July 2003Covington is a municipal government with a population of 8483 people, 128 employees and an annual budget of $9 million. Mayor Elected as mayor of the city for three consecutive four-year terms. Responsibilities included the direct supervision of department level managers. Collaborated with attorneys, architects, engineers, land surveyors and other design professionals. Negotiated service contracts. Selected Results Improved the city’s planning department and organized the City’s Geographic Information System (GIS).Reorganized the financial structure of the city. Coordinated the closure of an old city dump in an environmentally sound manner. Initiated recycling and curbside chipping of green waste. Reclaimed a former sewer treatment facility as a neighborhood park. Established technical schools in the city. Responsible for over $8 million in grant money for city. Moving force behind the formation of organizations such as the Covington Gardens Partnership, Covington Farmer’s Market, St. Tammany Work Initiative Network, Columbia Street Landing Concerts, Three Rivers Art Festival and the spring and fall Art Walks of Covington. Natives Landscape Corporation June 1985-July 1991Natives Landscape Corporation is a landscape architecture design build firm specializing in the use of native plant materials. Owner / Principal Established residential/commercial landscape office in Covington. Responsibilities included design, construction management and client relations. Organized St. Tammany Tree Alliance. Selected Results Excellent reputation of quality design and construction services.Planning consultant to towns in western St. Tammany Parish. Served as consultant to the City of Covington for land use and zoning. Worked with the city planning commission administering the zoning ordinance. Drafted ordinances for City of Covington including Existing Land Use Plan, Downtown Building Inventory, Landscape Ordinance and revamped all commercial and residential zoning classifications. J.J. Krebs and Associates, Inc. May 1983-June 1985 J.J. Krebs is a New Orleans civil engineering firm with a general practice serving southeast Louisiana. Landscape Architect & Planner Opened an office for Metairie, LA engineering firm in Covington. Duties included subdivision layout and site planning for commercial and residential permits. Selected Results Established a presence of the firm in western St. Tammany Parish.Landscape architect on staff of a large engineering and surveying office Subdivision layout. St. Tammany Parish, Department of Parish Development June 1980-May 1983 Department of Parish Development is a of parish (county) government planning department in one of the fastest growing parishes (counties) in country. Landscape Architect / Community Development Planner / Subdivision Administrator Held various positions including community development planner and subdivision administrator. Employed as Regional Planning Commission’s staff member in St. Tammany Parish. Selected Results Started Community Action Agency for parish (county) government.Drafted a landscape ordinance for the parish that was the first in the state. Subdivision administrator duties included review of subdivisions for adherence to ordinance. Prepared successful Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the parish. Education / Credentials Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Louisiana State University College of Design, School of Landscape Architecture, 1978 Professional Registration Licensed Landscape Architect, Louisiana, 2003 Licensed Real Estate Sales Agent, Louisiana, 2003 Activities Speaker, New Partners for Smart Growth Conference, February 2003. Teaching: Delgado, Landscape Design Non-credit course, Spring, 2003. Related Education New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, Chamber River Region and Metrovision, Class of 2002. Seaside Institute Great Homes for Great Developments, June 2001 Donaldson Real Estate School, May 1999 Leadership Louisiana Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL), Class of 1998. University of New Orleans Metropolitan College, Continuing Education, Introduction Computer Drawing (AutoCad), 1994 Harvard University Graduate School of Design Andres Duany on Techniques of Traditional Town Planning, July 1993 Honors, Awards & Recognition American Society of Landscape Architects, 2002 Fellow American Planning Association, LA Chapter Distinguished Leadership Award for Elected Officials, 1998 Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, Special Appreciation Award, June 1998 National Association of Towns and Township, American Hometown Leadership Award, 1996 President, Louisiana Chapter, ASLA, 1989-90
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