Leadership

Don VitaPresident

Don Vita is the founder of VITA Planning and Landscape Architecture. He has been practicing landscape architecture and land planning for over twenty-five years. His experience includes large-scale planning and resort design throughout the Pacific Rim, Hawai’i, India and Australia; new community development in the western U.S.; urban design, city planning and waterfront assignments in New York, Hong Kong, China and the Philippines; and landscape design for private estates throughout the U. S., Singapore and Hawaii. His extensive experience in designing successful plans for large-scale luxury resorts and golf communities is complemented by his education in Travel Industry Management as well as Landscape Architecture from Cornell University. He is a licensed Landscape Architect in California, Hawaii, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and New York; in addition, he is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Urban Land Institute and is a CLARB registered Landscape Architect.

Mark LenningManaging Principal

Mark Lenning is Managing Principal at Vita Planning and Landscape Architecture. His twenty years of professional experience ranges from urban infill sites and historically significant neighborhoods to large-scale master planned and golf communities located in the Western and Midwestern U.S., Costa Rica, North Africa and the Middle East. His passion for design, architecture and travel complements his ability to lead complex design projects in new and challenging environments. Prior to joining VITA, he was managing principal for a respected design firm in Southern California where his extensive experience in large-scale communities provided valuable insight throughout the planning and construction process. Mark studied both business administration and landscape architecture in Southern California and is a member of the Urban Land Institute and Building Industry Association.

John StrattonPrincipal

John Stratton has over twenty years of experience in the field of Landscape Architecture and Construction Management.  His experience working for both Landscape Architecture firms and Land Development companies on large Master Plan Communities gives him a unique perspective to carry landscape design from concept through construction while balancing quality of design and materials with budget and final product to ensure a successful, cost effective end result.  Having designed and overseen construction on over seven golf landscapes, with Golf Course Architects the likes of Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus and Rees Jones, he has a vast experience creatively merging the nuances of golf design with the needs and constraints of the surrounding natural site and/or development.  He has an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture (BSLA) with a minor degree in landscape irrigation design from Cal Poly Pomona.  He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and is a CLARB registered Landscape Architect.

Will AdamsPrincipal Architect

Will Adams has been a practicing Architect, Urban Designer and Planner for forty years since graduating from the University of California at Berkeley in 1970.  He has enjoyed designing projects of many types and scales in locations all over the world, from benches in Costa Rica to clubhouses in Africa, to large mixed-use projects in Colorado.  His focus during the last number of years has been on comprehensive inter-related design among the various design professions.  His experience has taught him the importance of designing places that encourage, rather than inhibit the community.  He has come to realize the importance of educating the general population on the development process of the built environment and to this end has just finished his new book “The Alphabet of Architecture”.  He continues to design and advocate for design excellence in all phases and scales of development.

Alison ChambersDirector of Administrative Operations

A key member of the management team, Alison Chambers has overseen the day to day operations of the company since its inception.  She handles all financial operations and contract management, as well as all technology functions. She is responsible for all human resource tasks, including recruitment, benefits and payroll.  Alison also facilitates client services, and manages all marketing products, trade show exhibits, publications and advertising.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and Italian Language and Literature from Smith College.

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