Redniss, of Redniss & Mead, elevated to AICP fellowship

Stamford, CT Richard (Rick) Redniss AICP, principal planner at Redniss & Mead, a land use consulting firm, has achieved one of the planning profession’s highest honors by being named to the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) College of Fellows (FAICP) for his outstanding achievements in urban planning. The 2022 Class will be inducted into the College of Fellows at the National Planning Conference in San Diego.

Fellowship is granted to planners who have achieved certification through the American Planning Association’s professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, and have achieved excellence in professional practice, mentoring, public and community service, and leadership. Invitations to join the College of Fellows come after a thorough nomination and review process, ensuring the candidate has had a positive, long-lasting impact on the planning profession. Redniss is the only Connecticut member being inducted into this year’s College of Fellows and will join one other practicing Fellow in the state.

“Rick has a long track record of success working in very challenging environments. Rick’s professional work and his personal pursuits further demonstrate his commitment to the ethical responsibilities of a certified planner to the public, to clients, and to the profession and colleagues,” said Rebecca Augur, president, CT Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). “We were proud to nominate him for his sustained leadership in the planning field and for his lasting influence in crafting inclusionary zoning, promoting affordable housing, and fostering historic preservation and permanent open space in particular. We are thrilled he is being recognized with an AICP Fellowship.”

Redniss is principal planner and previous president of Redniss & Mead. Over the past four plus decades, he has built a portfolio of award-winning projects throughout Fairfield County, from residential, commercial, retail, and industrial to educational, religious, government, and cultural to waterfronts, parks, and open space. This body of work is respected by both the public and private sectors for its creativity and sensitivity to the natural and built environment, facilitating the public review process, and focus on efficient solutions to wide spectrums of land use challenges.

A recipient of numerous planning, industry, and community service awards, Richard is recognized for his leadership in planning industry-related organizations. He a past member of the Mayor’s Taskforce on Affordable Housing and the Governor’s Blue-Ribbon Commission on Affordable Housing. He is a member of the APA and the Real Estate Finance Association of Faifield/Westchester County in CT. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Adelphi University, a Master of Education from Antioch College, and a Master in Urban Planning from Hunter College.

“This is a well-deserved honor,” said Craig Flaherty, P.E., president of Redniss & Mead. “Rick has been an exemplary leader in the community and for the planning profession. His ideas and efforts applied through the planning discipline and his clients land use applications have literally changed lives and enhanced the communities where they are located. We are grateful for his continued contributions to our firm and our clients.”

“Individuals who make up the College of Fellows are the true leaders of the planning profession,” said past AICP president Valerie Hubbard, FAICP. “These individuals have made lasting contributions to the profession and have inspired generations of new planners. They are truly awe-inspiring.”