PARTNER

Brandy Saxton is a land use planner and community designer with more than 20 years of experience with an emphasis on crafting land use regulations. She has considerable knowledge of housing issues in New England. Her ability to write clearly, illustrate complex concepts visually and produce compelling documents is well recognized.

EXPERIENCE
2005 to present. Partner, PlaceSense
2000 to 2005. Senior Planner, Addison County Regional Planning Commission, Middlebury, Vermont
1999 to 2000. Assistant, New York State Rural Development Council, Syracuse, New York

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
AICP certification in 2005, American Institute of Certified Planners
Master of Public Administration, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University
Master of Landscape Architecture, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Anthropology, State University of New York Potsdam College

AWARDS
2020 Planner of the Year, Northern New England Chapter of the APA
2018 Plan of the Year, Berlin Town Plan, Vermont Planners Association

VOLUNTEER SERVICE
2015-2018 NNECAPA Executive Committee
2014-2019 VPA Executive and Legislative Committees
2005-2009 Planning Board Chair, Village of Port Henry, New York

PARTNER

Rod Francis is a land use planner and project manager with more than 20 years of experience in community planning and development in New England. He has a proven track record in grant writing and project implementation. He is skilled at drafting staff reports, review board decisions and responses to appeals of land use decisions. 

EXPERIENCE
2022 to present. Partner, PlaceSense
2021 to 2022. Town Manager, Town of Norwich, Vermont
2018 to 2022. Planning and Zoning Director, Town of Norwich, Vermont
2008 to 2018. Planning Director, Town of Brattleboro, Vermont
2006 to 2008. Planner, Windham County Regional Planning Commission, Brattleboro, Vermont
2003 to 2006. Assistant Professor, Geography and Regional Planning, Westfield State College
1998 to 2003. Assistant Professor, Geography, Dartmouth College
1995 to 1998. Assistant Professor, Global Affairs Institute, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University
1994 to 1995. Assistant Professor, Geology and Geography, Vassar College

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
AICP certification in 2003, American Institute of Certified Planners
Ph.D. Geography and Environmental Science, Monash University
Bachelor of Arts (honors), Monash University

AWARDS
2014 Plan of the Year, Brattleboro Town Plan, Vermont Planners Association

VOLUNTEER SERVICE
2015-2020 VPA Executive and Legislative Committees

CEO (Canine Executive Officer)

Fiona is a lifelong member of the PlaceSense team. She manages all aspects of day-to-day operations, staff scheduling and – most importantly – meal and trip planning. She rigorously implements the employee health and wellness program. She regularly monitors meetings to ensure they are productive and efficient. She also applies her executive skills to managing a small farm with sheep and chickens.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
Fiona is a purebred Border Collie. No further evidence of her qualifications required.