Gary Pooni, President of Brook + Associates, is responsible for driving the firm's growth and managing major client projects in Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Gary was appointed President in October 2008 and was named and honoured as one of Business in Vancouver's "Top Forty under 40" recipients in 2009.

In his role as president and senior planner, Gary provides strategic and political counsel on projects throughout the Lower Mainland, the Sea to Sky corridor and throughout BC. His expertise includes broad knowledge of planning principles, policy planning, public consultation and advanced skills in negotiation and facilitation. Gary is highly active in the community; chairing Urban Development Institute liaison committees in several municipalities and acting as a Director of the Indo-Canadian Friendship Society, which provides funding and resources for infrastructure and community development in Punjab, India.

Gary holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Design (Planning) from the University of Calgary and a B.A. in Geography from Simon Fraser University. Gary is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and he brings almost fifteen years of planning-related experience in both private and public sector roles in Vancouver and Calgary.

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Chuck Brook founded Brook + Associates in 1988. Chuck specializes in real estate asset strategies, complex negotiations and project facilitation. He also offers valuable advice on major rezoning and development permit applications.

Chuck provides counsel to the private sector, municipal governments, and crown corporations on a wide array of development projects. He has been involved in hundreds of land use approvals in British Columbia. Chuck's experience, expertise, energy and enthusiasm add an extraordinary quality to his work. In addition to his professional work, Chuck has participated in many real estate and development forums and courses as a lecturer, speaker, panellist and moderator.

Chuck initially trained as an architect, completing a Master's Degree in Architecture and undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Manitoba. Prior to establishing the firm, Chuck was the Senior Development Planner at the City of Vancouver.

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Laurie Schmidt is a Principal and Senior Planner with Brook + Associates.  Laurie specializes in stewarding complicated major development and rezoning projects through the approval process. His expertise includes comprehensive development and urban design studies, as well as major permit applications for residential, institutional and office projects.  Since joining the firm in 2003 Laurie has had a considerable role in shaping the urban landscape of Vancouver; leading major projects such as the Langara College master plan and new Library development, Rezoning and Development Permit for Pomaria residential tower in False Creek and Rezoning for Cielo residential tower in Coal Harbour.  Laurie also represents several of Vancouver’s Independent Schools, assisting with development approvals to improve the functionality of these urban schools. 

Laurie brings over twenty years public and private sector experience in the land development industry. A graduate of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, he acquired his technical expertise with the City of Vancouver as a Project Facilitator and in his previous role as a Senior Architectural Draftsman.

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Blaire Chisholm is an Associate and Senior Planner with Brook + Associates. Blaire is responsible for leading the planning team while managing a number of the firm’s key projects; most notably, Blaire was instrumental in the successful approval of Fraser Mills in November 2008.

Blaire specializes in sustainability issues and project management. As sustainability moves to the forefront of the entitlement process, her role is an essential service to our clients looking to integrate all components of sustainability into their projects.

Blaire holds a Master's Degree in Urban Planning from McGill University and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Resource Management from the University of Alberta. Prior to joining the firm in 2007, Blaire gained nearly ten years of experience with non-governmental organizations, research and policy consultancies and architectural and planning firms across Canada.

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Parham Mahboubi is a Senior Planner with Brook + Associates, offering specific expertise in land use and development planning, ranging from urban infill projects to area development plans. His work includes project management, team coordination, public consultation, policy planning, development approvals, real estate analysis, and digital mapping. Parham has led several significant development projects to a successful conclusion; for example, a 53 acre master plan and Rezoning for Waterfront Landing in the District of Squamish; a Rezoning/DP/and BP for a new 345,000 square-foot IKEA store in the City of Richmond; and a Rezoning and OCP Amendment for a 119 acre master plan for Jericho in the Township of Langley.

Parham brings more than 13 years of public and private experience to the firm. He holds a degree in Urban Geography from Simon Fraser University, a Certificate in Land Development Planning from Kwantlen University College and a Social Sciences diploma from Capilano University.

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Sasha Lauzon, Planner with Brook + Associates, brings skills in policy and planning research, community engagement, urban design, parks planning, graphic design, and event management.  She brings to her work an understanding of the needs and perspectives of different stakeholders and the ability to find balance among them.  As a project coordinator for a variety of projects in the office, Sasha provides clients with a high level of organization, task management and communication ability.   

Sasha first joined the team as a summer student, returning in 2007 after completing a Master’s Degree in Community and Regional Planning from Queen's University.   Sasha also holds a B.A. in Geography, with minors in Economics and Geology, from McGill University.

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Kathryn Tonelli is a Planner with Brook + Associates, bringing skills in policy and planning research, project management, consultation and team coordination. She is adept at engaging all levels of stakeholders as well as building one-on-one relationships with key influencers.

Prior to joining the firm in July 2010 she worked as a Project Manager at the City of Vancouver on a number of planning projects including the Hastings Park Redevelopment and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics where she provided strategic relationship development with Olympic Sponsors and assisted in the development and approvals of their pavilions on City of Vancouver Olympic Live Sites.

Kathryn holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor in Geography from Trinity Western University.

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Julia Reimer is a Planner with Brook + Associates. Before joining the Brook team, Julia held positions with the Halifax Regional Municipality and the City of Kingston. As a result of this public sector experience, Julia contributes her practical knowledge of policy, public consultation methods, and various coastal and heritage issues.

Julia has been part of land use planning and development projects in roles that include project coordination, planning research, report writing, public consultation and graphic work. Julia holds a Master of Planning degree from Dalhousie University and a B.A. (Honours) from Queen's University with a double major in History and Art History.

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As the firm's accountant, Judy Fang is an integral part of Brook + Associates. With more than 10 years of experience in various industrial areas, Judy is experienced in financial management including full cycle accounting, consolidated financial statements, preparation of notes to financial statements and MD&A, management reports, year-end work, budgeting & cash flow, variance analysis and forecasting, full cycle of payroll both in-house payroll and through ADP, and office administration. At Brook, Judy is responsible for ensuring all of the firm's accounting needs are fulfilled. Judy is a member of the Certified General Accountants Association (CGA) of Canada and holds a Bachelor of Architecture, Anhui Architecture and Industry Institute from China and a Master of Urban Planning from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).

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Kerri is the first point of contact at Brook, and ensures the day-to-day operation of the firm runs smoothly. Her administrative and customer service skills provide clients with a comprehensive range of support services, and are relied on by the firm's associates and planners. In her role with the firm, Kerri is often called upon to contribute to project research and assist with file coordination, in addition to her administrative tasks. 

Kerri holds B.A. in Geography from the University of British Columbia, with a focus in urban geography.  She completed a mentorship program with the Planning Department at the City of Richmond and has specific project experience in Sustainability and Social Housing.  In addition to her educational background, Kerri brings six years of administrative and customer service experience to our team at Brook. 

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