Community CPTED

Sherry Carter

Al Zelinka, FAICP
Al Zelinka, FAICP, CMSM, is a Director in Public Sector Advisory of Baker Tilly, where he helps improve the performance of cities through strategic planning, organizational assessments, development process improvements, and executive coaching. Prior to this, he was the City Manager for the City of Huntington Beach, California, and the City Manager (and former Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director) for the City of Riverside, California, as well as the Community Development Director (and Planning Manager) for Fullerton, California. Prior to joining the City of Fullerton, Al was Vice President with RBF Consulting and served as Principal of RBF Consulting's Urban Design Studio. For the past twenty-five years, Al’s practice has upheld his original planning and urban design career objective: to “make a difference” in communities and the profession. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners, is a Certified Main Street Manager, and is certified in Community Economic Development. Al has been highly successful leading efforts to improve and revitalize neighborhoods, commercial districts, downtowns, and communities by working with community members in highly engaging, outcome-focused processes. He has developed plans for public/private development and redevelopment projects dedicated to creating authentic, enduring, and great places. Al has played an active part in over 200 projects (many of which have received awards) and has practiced planning and delivered presentations or training in more than 28 states (plus the District of Columbia). He has received acclaim for his high-energy, engaging speeches for the Congress for the New Urbanism, National Main Street Center, Urban Land Institute, American Planning Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, Neighborhoods USA, International CPTED Association, California Downtown Association, American Public Works Association, Rail~Volution, Local Government Commission, League of California Cities, NeighborWorks® America, TEDx (https://youtu.be/vGq_FYze0eE), among others. He co-authored two books: Safescape and Placemaking on a Budget. Al is a Past President of the California Planning Roundtable, a 40+year organization dedicated to advancing the practice and profession of planning and providing leadership for a better California. Al graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Planning from Northern Arizona University in 1989 and a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University in 1991.