CED - College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley

CED Dean's Advisory Council

The CED Dean’s Advisory Council evolved out of the CED Alumni (CEDA) board of directors, founded in 1990, which for almost two decades served the college by organizing events and programs such as the annual Distinguished Alumni Award and the CED mentorship program. In 2009, upon the 50th anniversary of CED, the CEDA board took some time to reflect upon its role, and in 2010 redefined and reformed itself as the CED Dean’s Advisory Council.

The council is a select group of alumni and friends who care deeply about the College of Environmental Design and serve as its ambassadors with fellow CED alumni, alumni of the University, and others whose professional and philanthropic interests align with CED’s objectives.

Members of the council provide strategic planning advice to assist the dean in reaching out and promoting CED externally and encouraging alumni and others to make gifts to the college. Council members also bring their external expertise to the college, informing the dean about notable trends in the architecture, landscape, and urban planning fields as they might shape CED’s activities, programming, and facilities development.

Advisory Council Founding Members

Kofi Bonner, Master of City and Regional Planning 1986, Master of Architecture 1987
Regional Vice President, Lennar Urban

Kofi Bonner is Regional Vice President of Lennar Urban. In this role, Mr. Bonner oversees all land acquisition and urban development activities from Sacramento to San Jose, including the Hunters Point Shipyard, Candlestick Point, and Treasure Island. Born in Ghana, Mr. Bonner began his career as an affordable housing developer for Oakland Community Housing Inc., and then served as head of redevelopment for the City of Emeryville. He later held the positions of Director of Community and Economic Development and Interim City Manager for the City of Oakland, where he helped lead efforts to revitalize the city’s downtown neighborhoods.
Fred Blackwell, Master of City and Regional Planning 1996
Executive Director, San Francisco Redevelopment Agency; Assistant City Administrator, City of Oakland, California (October 2011)

Fred Blackwell was appointed to the position of Assistant City Administrator for the City of Oakland, effective October 2011. He will be responsible for community and economic development; parks and recreation; select public works functions; human services; libraries; liaison to museum services; and community relations, including supporting public safety initiatives. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Blackwell was director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency (SFRA) since 2007, where he oversaw housing, economic development, and infrastructure investments in the city’s eight project areas. Before joining SFRA, Mr. Blackwell was the director of the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Community Development, where he oversaw the city’s Community Development Block Program, focusing on economic and service-focused strategies to meet the needs of San Francisco’s low-income families and neighborhoods.
Brian Dougherty, BA Architecture 1972, Master of Architecture 1975
Founder, Dougherty and Dougherty Architecture

Brian Dougherty began his career under the guidance of mentor William Pierere, FAIA. Mr. Dougherty’s work emphasizes energy conservation and sustainable design. Integrated into every project is a focus on holistic resource conservation, shared through lectures and presentations. Mr. Dougherty is an Accredited Professional in the USGBC LEED program and presently serves as the only practicing architect member of the board of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS).
William Fain, BA Architecture 1968
Founder, Johnson Fain

Bill Fain is an architect and urban designer with an international reputation and a long list of professional honors. Mr. Fain has practiced architecture and urban planning for over 35 years. He is the managing partner of, and directs master planning and urban design for, Johnson Fain, a firm of 100 architects, planners, and interior designers headquartered in downtown Los Angeles. With extensive experience in urban design, community planning, downtown redevelopment, and transit-oriented development, his career has focused on advancing the practice of urban design as a bridge between the public good and private benefit.
David Friedman, BS Civil Engineering 1975
Principal and Chairman, Forell/Elsesser Engineers

David Friedman has more than 33 years of experience as a structural engineer and has been integral to the success of Forell/Elsesser Engineers and its many engineering achievements. Mr. Friedman is chair of the firm’s board and executive committee. Known for his collaborative style and well-honed communication skills, Mr. Friedman brings a concern for the whole building to his role on each project. His interest in architecture and new construction is balanced by the challenges posted by seismic rehabilitations and the need to accommodate live-safety while preserving our architectural heritage. Mr. Friedman is chair of the board of the San Francisco Foundation and is a UC Berkeley Foundation trustee.
Keith Helmetag, BA Architecture 1975
Partner, C&G Partners

As one of the founders of C&G Partners, Keith Helmetag offers creative and management direction to a talented team involved in signage, environmental graphics, and exhibit commissions. He has led the signage and visitor-experience planning for three of New York City’s largest projects: Yankee Stadium; Bank of America’s headquarters at One Bryant Park (Manhattan’s first LEED-platinum skyscraper); and the World Trade Center Memorial Names Commemoration and site graphics. Previous lead projects include the award-winning graphic design of the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial as well as design signage for the Griffith Park Observatory Museum in Los Angeles.
Jackson Hsieh, BA Architecture 1983
Vice Chairman, Global Head, Real Estate, Lodging & Leisure, UBS

Jackson Hsieh joined UBS in 2002 and is currently vice chairman of the Investment Banking Group and the Global Head of the Real Estate, Lodging & Leisure Group, which has over 70 professionals located in New York, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sydney. Prior to joining UBS, Mr. Hsieh was global head of Morgan Stanley’s Lodging and Leisure Group. At UBS and at Morgan Stanley he has served as senior banker on numerous multibillion-dollar hotel/resort sales and acquisitions deals. In 2008, Mr. Hsieh was awarded the Jack A. Shaffer Financial Advisor of the Year Award at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Conference. Mr. Hsieh serves on the UC Berkeley New York Campaign Committee.
Scott Johnson, BA Architecture 1972
Founder, Johnson Fain

Scott Johnson is a prolific designer of residential, commercial, and institutional building projects. A number of his best-known designs in the State of California have been widely published and have become local landmarks, including three high-rise buildings in Century City; the Opus One and Byron Wineries in the Napa Valley and in Santa Barbara County, respectively; Rincon Center, in San Francisco; and the Capitol Area East End Complex in Sacramento. In addition to designing nearly 100 built projects in the past 20 years, Mr. Johnson has also taught and lectured at various universities.
Sylvia P. Kwan, BA Architecture 1976, Master of Architecture 1978
Founder, Kwan Henmi Architecture/Planning

Sylvia founded Kwan Henmi Architecture/Planning with her husband, Denis Henmi, in 1980. The firm has worked on such projects as the Moscone West Convention Center, SBC Park, airport projects in San Francisco and Oakland, and the Bessie Carmichael Elementary School. Ms. Kwan also lends her skills to various organizations and boards, including the American Institute of Architects, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Woman's Forum West, the Friends of Marin Center, and the Norcal Waste Systems Board.
Bob Lalanne 1978, UCB Parent
Founder and President, Lalanne Group

Bob Lalanne is with the Lalanne Group, a San Francisco-based real estate development company. He is chair of the Finance and Administration Committee of the UC Berkeley Foundation Board of Trustees, chairs the Urban Land Institute and the St. Mary’s Center Foundation Board, and is a past chair of the Board of Regents of Saint Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco. Mr. Lalanne has 24 years of experience as one of the most active multi-family housing developers, having produced approximately 1,000 urban infill units in the Bay Area.
Tom Mead, BA Architecture 1974
Senior Vice President, Webcor Builders

Tom Mead’s firm is California’s largest privately owned general contractor and builder of many of the Bay Area’s signature buildings. Mr. Mead is responsible for the firm’s hospitality projects and leads Webcor Consulting Group’s work nationally and internationally. He also serves as a trustee of the UC Berkeley Foundation, is the president of the board of trustees for Civicorps Schools, and is on the executive board of the San Francisco Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts.
Frederic Schwartz, BA Architecture 1973
Founder, Frederic Schwartz Architects

Fred Schwartz is an award-winning architect and planner with particular expertise in affordable, sustainable housing. He won the Guangzhou International Master Plan competition and was selected by the citizens of New Orleans and the New Orleans City Planning Commission to re-plan one-third of the city for 40% of its post-Katrina population. Mr. Schwartz is credited with changing the course of post-9/11 planning in New York City through his work, which facilitated an open site for the 9/11 memorial and a way to repair the city’s skyline. He is the founder of Haiti Green Home, an initiative established to supply Haitians with housing kits that can evolve into permanent homes.
Rob Steinberg, Master of Architecture 1977
President, Steinberg Architects

A third-generation architect, Rob Steinberg is responsible for setting the company vision of Steinberg Architects. He joined the firm in 1977, focusing on design and public outreach. He assumed leadership in 1994, subsequently taking the firm from 12 to 130 people in three office locations while respecting the values and foundation established by the previous generation. Mr. Steinberg’s commitment to socially conscious architecture led to his advancement to the prestigious AIA College of Fellows in 1996. Besides developing award-winning projects in the Bay Area, Steinberg Architects has an active presence in China.
Lydia Tan, BA Architecture 1983
Executive Vice President and Director, Northern California Operations, Related California

Lydia Tan joined Related in October 2010 after serving as executive vice president of Bridge Housing Corporation, an affordable housing developer with which she spent 19 years in a variety of roles. Prior to Bridge, Ms. Tan worked in development for Tsen & Associates, consulting with community-based nonprofits to build affordable housing. She serves on the boards of directors of the Northern California Community Loan Fund and the San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association (SPUR) and served for 12 years on the board of the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation. Ms. Tan earned her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1993.
Paul Woolford
Design Director, Helmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK)

Paul Woolford has 25 years of experience in the practice of university, corporate, research, hospitality, and transportation architecture, as well as urban design and planning. He has been responsible for some of HOK’s largest and most complex buildings. In 2003, Mr. Woolford received the AIA Young Architect Award, presented to architects who show exceptional leadership in design, education, and/or service to the profession.