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Expertise

From directors to staff members, the enCodePlus team is comprised of industry experts who have personal experience with the challenges of local government. We have been in your chair and we have shared your frustrations.

Urban Planning Consultants

Kendig Keast Collaborative

As a subsidiary of urban planning and zoning consulting firm Kendig Keast Collaborative (KKC), enCodePlus draws on the deep experience of its diverse team, bringing more than 125 years of first-hand industry experience.

code, ordinance and planning consultants at Kendig Keast Collaborative

In nearly four decades, KKC has drafted more than 400 zoning and land development ordinances and comprehensive and special-area plans for towns, cities and counties of all sizes in almost every state in the country.

KKC’s urban planning consultants are recognized thought leaders in performance and character-based zoning concepts, affordable housing, neighborhood conservation, and environmental protection and preservation. They are the industry’s leading authorities on integrating the concepts of community character with plans and their implementing regulations.

Meet Our Team

BRET C. KEAST, AICP, PRESIDENT

Bret is the Principal-in-Charge who oversees all implementations of the software system. Bret is also the CEO of enCodePlus’ parent company, Kendig Keast Collaborative. Mr. Keast brings 35 years of experience in community planning and zoning, including software innovations for local governments of all sizes. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with a B.S. in Community and Regional Planning, a second degree in Communications, and a specialty in Architecture. His Master of Urban Planning (MUP) degree is from the University of Kansas. Bret has written, codified, and published zoning and land development ordinances for towns, cities and counties across the U.S. In all, KKC has prepared 225+ codes in the U.S.

SHARON CADENA, ​ OPERATIONS MANAGER

Sharon is a multi-faceted graphic design and software specialist. In addition to print layout and design work, Sharon coordinates design work across various digital media and platforms. With her knowledge of web-based languages (i.e. HTML, CSS), she is responsible for designing and customizing web templates, illustrations, complex tables, and information on the client sites for enCodePlus. By nature, she is a gifted teacher and a clever problem-solver, which serves her well in technical sessions with our clients.

MARCELA MARTINEZ, CLIENT MANAGER

Marcela comes to enCodePlus with over eight years of experience in direct client interactions in business and consumer education. She is skilled in developing long-term client relationships through consistency and transparency. She is responsible for client outreach and is a primary point of contact for enCodePlus clients. In addition, she manages the delegation of tasks to enCodePlus team members. Marcela earned a B.A. in Business Administration with a specialization in marketing in 2021 and is currently on track to graduate in 2023 with her Masters in Management with an emphasis in project management.

ALEXYS IRWIN, PRINCIPAL BUILD ASSOCIATE

Alexys is a skilled document editor with excellent attention to detail. She is enCodePlus’ primary codifier, ensuring that new amendments are added to published documents in an accurate and timely manner. She also leads the calculator team, processing data for inclusion in development calculators for client portals and managing tasks for the other members of the team. In addition, she assists with certain GIS features, document formatting, troubleshooting, and many other tasks. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA.

KATHRYN WOLD, MARKETING & SALES ASSOCIATE

Kathryn earned a B.A. of Mass Communications and Marketing at Minnesota State University Mankato. She is a marketing and sales associate at enCodePlus. Kathryn enhances the company’s online presence and brand visibility. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset, she executes initiatives to effectively reach and resonate with the enCodePlus audience. Kathryn also assists with sales and client communication. 

VANESSA OTERO, DESIGNER

Vanessa is a talented web and graphic designer, as well as frontend developer. With her knowledge of web-based languages (i.e HTML, CSS), she prepares client sites for initial launch, customizes templates, designs custom calculators and helps the team with assorted project tasks and troubleshooting. On top of the web-based languages, she is also a master of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Xd, with which she uses to create the majority of designs and customizations.

PHIL BIRD, SOFTWARE ARCHITECT

Phil is the firm’s senior systems administrator in charge of designing the site infrastructure, overseeing the technical aspects of the build process, as well as online hosting. Phillip has 25 years’ experience with server and network infrastructures and is a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator, IBM Certified Systems Administrator, Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, and Microsoft Certified Application Developer.

SEAN BRENNAN, WEB DEVELOPER

Sean is a software developer for the firm. Sean is responsible for the development and implementation of new features, web design, regulation calculators, site administration, software testing, and technical support. Sean has over 20 years of experience designing, developing, and maintaining adaptable systems for a variety of organizations.

KIMBERLEE KEAST, BUSINESS MANAGER

Kim has a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in Industrial Engineering with a master’s degree in Finance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Kim is responsible for all project progress reporting and scheduling. She administers the firm’s client billings, employee payroll, fiscal accounting, vendor account management, staff scheduling, and human resource and business office management. Kim also assists staff is preparing project proposals and provides quality control assistance with firm documents and submittals.

GENEVIEVE NELSON, ASSISTANT DEVELOPER

Genevieve is the associate software developer for the firm. Her education consists of the University of New Haven and Rutgers University specializing in full-stack web and software development. Genevieve’s responsibilities include calculator programming, software testing, site administration, implementing web designs, and much more. Genevieve enjoys being able to be both creative and technically-minded with her work.

SUHAG KANSARA, AICP, TECHNICAL ASSOCIATE

Suhag is committed to serving local governments with an array of GIS tools that support solving planning challenges through the right visualization and collaboration that provides planners the use of advanced GIS technology. Suhag has helped to develop map-based GIS software products to allow cities and local governments an enhanced visibility into their GIS data, helping to identify patterns that are otherwise difficult to infer. He has experience in designing, documenting, and executing GIS data conversion workflows (creating, updating, and maintaining geodatabases, models, and map applications) that meet or exceed client expectations. His work is approved by Esri as a certified ArcGIS Urban specialty firm, the only organization that extends the use of ArcGIS Urban with proprietary GIS solutions.

LAURIE BARNES, BUILD ASSOCIATE

Laurie is a vital member of the enCodePlus support team. She helps processing client files to prepare the documents for import to the platform, performing quality control reviews and aiding assistance in the site finalization details. She also managed expansion of our Definition Library.

JACKIE HUTTO, MARKETING DIRECTOR

As marketing director for enCodePlus, Jackie leverages over 25 years of expertise in marketing communications to drive impactful solutions. Her skill set – encompassing writing, advertising, event management, strategic planning, and relationship building – is instrumental in executing creative strategies that resonate. Guided by a desire to connect people with products that serve them in a meaningful way, she excels at cutting through the clutter to forge meaningful brand connections. Jackie’s leadership ensures cohesive and innovative marketing efforts that drive measurable results for enCodePlus.

“. . . brilliance, imagination, skill and deep experience . . . a crackerjack consultant...” ~ The Herald Democrat, Sherman, TX

urban planning consultant firms

Our Partners

enCodePlus recognizes the value of industry expertise and creates strong partnerships with respected organizations and innovative pioneers. Contact us to find out how to join our growing network of planning and consulting professionals.

  • ViewPro GIS*
  • White & Smith Planning & Law*
  • Mintier Harnish*
  • Municode*
  • Dover Kohl Partners
  • Fairfield & Woods
  • Lisa Wise Consulting
  • Martha Miller Assoc.
  • Michael Baker International
  • MSA Professional Services
  • WSP

*Premier partners

Contact Us

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