Atlanta Architect Helen Hatch Recently Elected to Urban Land Institute Board of Trustees Appointed by Mayor Franklin to Chair the Walkable Atlanta Task Force

Award-winning Atlanta Architect, Helen Hatch elected to Urban Land Insititute Board of Directors and Chair of Mayor Shirley Franklin's Walkable Atlanta Task Force.

August 11, 2004 -- Architect, Helen D. Hatch is a force within her profession. She is recognized worldwide as an expert on livable communities. Her dedication to the subject has garnered two prestigious non-profit appointments, which allow her to continue making a unique contribution to urban living.

A principal and vice president of client relations for Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback and Associates, Inc. (TVS), Hatch was elected to a three-year term on the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Board of Trustees. ULI, a non-profit research and education organization, is dedicated to improving urban growth patterns through efficient land use.     Hatch is one of twenty-three (23) land use professionals from throughout the U.S. and Europe who were recently appointed to serve on the ULI board. She has been involved in leadership of ULI Atlanta for many years.

Commenting on her election to the national ULI Board, Hatch said, This is a wonderful opportunity; ULI is making a difference and Im delighted to be a part of it.

In January 2004, Mayor Shirley Franklin appointed Hatch as Chair of The Mayors Walkable Atlanta Task Force. Hatch noted, The Task Force represents a range of community stakeholders. In spite of the wide diversity of opinion, weve been able to move the work of the Task Force forward at a swift pace. We fully expect to present our recommendations to the Mayor by the end of summer. When it comes to making Atlanta pedestrian-friendly, the work of the Task Force is moving Atlanta closer to Mayor Franklins goal of placing Atlanta on par with our urban peers around the country.
                   
About Helen Hatch
Helen Hatch is a Principal at Thompson, Ventulett and Stainback (TVS) with a distinguished career in architecture, specializing in the design of convention centers, hotels, resorts and conference centers. Among her projects are the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA and the Orange County Convention Center expansion in Orlando, FL. Ms. Hatchs designs have received national recognition for design excellence. She was featured in an AIA sponsored exhibit Women in Architecture and has authored many articles. She is a frequent speaker on topics of urban revitalization and the positive impact convention centers have on the urban environment.

About ULI
The Urban Land Institute is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide responsible leadership in the use of land in order to enhance the total environment. Each year, the Institute honors an extraordinary community builder through the Urban Land Institute J. C. Nichols Prize for Visionaries in Urban Development.     Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 20,000 members worldwide, including more than 1,200 in Europe, representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

About TVS
Thompson, Ventulett and Stainback & Associates (TVS) is widely recognized as preeminent designers of convention facilities in the United States. TVS also provides equally innovative designs for retail, office workplace, interiors, hospitality, entertainment and educational markets. With offices in Atlanta and Chicago, the firm's expertise in collaborative design has produced inspired designs for a wide variety of clients. In 2002, TVS was honored with the prestigious AIA 2002 Architecture Firm Award.

About Mayors Walkable Atlanta Task Force
In January 2004 Mayor Shirley Franklin, a long-time, outspoken advocate for making Atlanta a more pedestrian-friendly city appointed a 12 member Walkable Atlanta Task Force representing a range of community stakeholders, including pedestrian advocates, developers, planners and representatives from environmental, neighborhood and disability advocacy organizations. Atlanta-based public policy consulting firm Civic Strategies, Inc. planned and facilitated the task force meetings and helped to assemble the final plan.

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