Mike Callahan

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Journalism & Mass Communication, BA

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Master of City & Regional Planning

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Role:  Director of Community Planning

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How they ended up here / Why Planning or Design

Mike has always been curious about places and how they change over time. He grew up in Raleigh, NC in the 1980s and 90s during a period of tremendous growth and change, which fed this curiosity. Mike originally trained as a journalist because he wanted to write about cities and places from an early age. Today he brings that storyteller’s perspective to his work helping cities, towns, and counties tell their stories of where they have been, where they are today, and where they want to go. Mike is at Line and Grade because he understands great planning requires an interdisciplinary team, and he appreciates high quality work.

 

Favorite part of their job

The people he meets. Whether it’s getting to know a small-town mayor, city planning staff, new collaborators, or the public Mike truly enjoys listening to everyone’s perspective and helping create strategies that are responsive to their hopes and dreams.

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Other Interests

Ice hockey; Mike is a huge Carolina Hurricanes fan (aka Caniac)! He also enjoys time with his son and wife, swimming at the Fry’s Spring Beach Club, coaching Little League baseball, traveling, and serving on the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charlottesville.

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