Special Recognition

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

During the more than 16 years of its existence, the LDDI program has witnessed many of its practitioner partners move from one company to another, ascend through the corporate ranks, and even change career paths entirely. Others have reached the point when it’s time to walk away from the hustle and bustle of corporate life to enjoy the benefits of a successful career in the form of a well-deserved retirement. In 2020, we announced the retirement of long-time LDDI Coordinator Dr. Randy Dymond, and last fall we were finally able to celebrate Randy’s retirement in person after a pandemic imposed delay. In this year’s LDDI Annual Report, we’re excited to debut a new piece to acknowledge and celebrate the retirement of individuals who have contributed in meaningful ways to LDDI. In this year’s inaugural piece, we recognize Sandy Camargo (Advanced Drainage Systems), Jeff Lighthiser (Draper Aden Associates / TRC), and Sue Wolford (Pennoni).

Sandy Camargo retires as a Zone Engineer with LDDI Dymond Sponsor Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) after nearly 9 years with the company and more than 30 years in the industry. ADS has been a sponsor of LDDI since 2011, and Sandy has been heavily involved since he joined the firm. A routine guest lecturer in LDDI’s senior design course where he demonstrates ADS’ online stormwater design tools, Sandy has also spoken multiple times (virtually and in person) to the Sustainable Land Development the Introduction to Land Development l courses. Sandy and ADS Sales Engineer and former LDDI student David Camden have also served as the key organizers for ADS’ annual fall semester on-campus product exhibition. Sandy’s numerous visits to LDDI classes over the years have affectionately branded him with the nickname “The Professor” among his ADS colleagues. Though he is a proud alumnus of the University of Kentucky, through his involvement with LDDI, Sandy has embraced all things Virginia Tech (except perhaps during March Madness).

Jeff Lighthiser retires as President and CEO of Draper Aden Associates (now Draper Aden Associates / TRC) after more than 47 years with the company. Jeff was one of LDDI’s original founding members, working with Dr. Randy Dymond and a core group of land development professionals in 2005 during initial outreach efforts across Virginia. Since those early days, Jeff has been consistently involved with the program, serving as an active Advisory Board member from the Board’s inception in 2006 until his appointment as Life Member in 2012. Jeff now serves on the LDDI Platinum Advisory Group and is one of three Directors of LDDI’s affiliated 501(C)(3) organization. Even as Jeff has transitioned toward his retirement, relinquishing day-to-day LDDI involvement to Industry Advisory Group Member Caleb Hurst and other DAA/TRC colleagues, he has consistently facilitated the company’s support for LDDI by providing senior design project mentors, Advanced Land Development instructors, onsite field trip hosts, and in many other ways. A VT CEE alumnus, Jeff is a strong supporter of his alma mater, and in addition to his contributions to LDDI he also serves on the CEE Alumni Board.

Sue Wolford retires as Regional Vice President for Pennoni’s Virginia and North Carolina operations after nearly 25 years with the company. Sue first joined the LDDI Advisory Board in 2015 where she has held the positions of both Board Chair and Vice Chair, and where she served through the Board’s dissolution in 2021 coinciding with the adoption of a new organizational structure. Sue was heavily involved with the creation of the new LDDI organizational model, and currently serves as one of five members of its inaugural Executive Board. Sue also serves as a Director for LDDI’s affiliated 501(C)(3) organization. A landscape architect by trade, Sue is passionate about helping students better prepare for careers in land development design, and while her contributions to LDDI’s leadership have been immeasurable, she has also been a frequent senior design project mentor and guest lecturer in Introduction to Land Development and Sustainable Land Development. Like Sandy, Sue is a proud alumnus of another academic institution (Penn State) but has contributed significantly to improving the undergraduate land development design experience at Virginia Tech.

Please join us in wishing Sandy, Jeff, and Sue all the best in their retirements!