Learn more about your newly elected members of the 2020-2021 Nebraska/Dakotas Chapter Executive Committee!

President - Bryan Leininger

Contour Design Studio is led by firm Principal Bryan Leininger, a licensed Professional Landscape Architect with comprehensive experience preparing public and private landscape architectural projects for construction through completion. He brings a strong passion for landscape architecture and its ability to provide communities with a safe, livable environment while protecting the need for clean air and water. He is skilled in applying creativity to designing functional yet aesthetically appealing built works and brings a strong ability to collaborate on multi-disciplinary teams.

President Elect - Zack Fergus

Zack Fergus is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate and current Senior Landscape Architect with Lamp Rynearson in Omaha, Nebraska. Since joining the company in 2015, Zack has had the opportunity to work across various scales of projects from neighborhood parks to large college campuses. He is motivated daily to work with communities to provide thoughtful, inclusive opportunities for all citizens to participate in enjoying the outdoors. Zack also takes pride in serving the communities that he lives and works in. He is the incoming President of the Keep Omaha Beautiful Board of Directors and offers his time to the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency’s Heartland 2050 Initiative and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Board of Directors.

Outside of the office, Zack can be found at a local hiking trail or exploring the gravel roads of Nebraska via bicycle. Zack and his wife Brie have twin girls, Kinley and Coraline, that enjoy getting outside for their own adventures.

Trustee - Chad Kucker

Chad is an associate principal for Confluence and has been with the firm since the establishment of a Sioux Falls office in 2005. First becoming active with ASLA as a student at South Dakota State University, Chad has served as Chapter President and Treasurer and is excited for the opportunity to serve as Nebraska/Dakotas Chapter Trustee. Chad’s professional interests at Confluence include parks & recreation and urban redevelopment projects. Chad also provides specialized expertise on irrigation projects throughout the region as an Irrigation Association Certified Irrigation Designer and spends free time at home fighting bromegrass in an ongoing effort to restore a small remnant of tallgrass prairie. Chad and his wife Tina have two children, Celia and Garrett.

Interim Treasurer - Jessica Williams

With a flair for graphic design and knack for random knowledge, Jessica has the ability to develop creative design solutions, quirky fun graphics and designs that educate and connect people to a site. As a child who dreamed of being an artist and a young adult determined to be a scientist, Jessica found her niche in landscape architecture as it’s the perfect combination of art, science and history.

As a Sioux Falls native, she spent time in Minnesota attending college at St. Ben’s and the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities where she earned a MLA and degree in Natural Sciences before returning to call South Dakota her home. Time spent traveling abroad, a stint in environmental activism and several years of parks and greenhouse employment cemented her love of plants and the designed environment. When not in the office, Jessica can be found immersed in a hockey game, working on home improvements, biking and spending time with her family.

Member-At-Large - Brad Garcia

Brad is a Licensed Landscape Architect for Confluence and has been practicing since 2015, working on a variety of project types. He has a focus on delivering value to clients while pushing the norms of today’s construction industry to develop a better built environment. He has quickly become diverse in graphic design and presentation production to communicate ideas to clients and comes to the team with a skilled and technical background for developing construction documents. Brad received his Bachelor of Arts in Landscape Architecture from North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND.

Brad is passionate about the value landscape architecture brings to the public and private realms within our communities. One of his goals is to be more involved in philanthropic design for the community.

Brad is also a member of the Army Reserve serving as a Civil Affairs specialist. As a Civil Affairs specialist, Brad has had opportunities to learn about foreign cultures and provide analysis and recommendations on military strategies. This work helps mitigate the impact of US military presence in foreign communities. His service includes three tours of duty within the last 18 years.

Member-At-Large - Alison Ingunza

Alison Ingunza graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2012 with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree and a double minor in Community & Regional Planning and Horticulture. She joined HDR, at the Omaha office, in the summer of 2011, as an intern; later accepting a full-time position in the Site Design Studio following graduation.

Since joining HDR, Alison has had the opportunity to work on a wide range of community projects, including Baxter Arena, the Strauss Performing Arts Building, and Tal Anderson Field at the University of Nebraska Omaha campus, the Marjorie K. Daugherty Conservatory at Lauritzen Gardens, the redevelopment of both the Salvation Army’s Cuming Campus and the Siena Francis House campus, as well as the master planning and phase one implementation at Lake Cunningham.

In early 2017, Alison became involved with the United Way of the Midlands (UWM) Emerging Leaders Board which focuses on philanthropic interest to foster long-lasting positive change in the Omaha-Council Bluffs community. Alison contributions included participation with volunteering events, brainstorming fundraising strategies and the planning and implementation of subsequent events. Alison is currently serving as the Chairperson of the UWM Emerging Leaders and was given the opportunity to represent the group as a member of the UWM Board of Directors.

Nebraska Section Chair - Caitlin Bolte

Caitlin draws experience from living and working in three major Midwest cities, Des Moines, Kansas City and Omaha. She has led and contributed to many different project types, ranging from regional land-use and transportation planning to site specific design and construction. Her passion lies in helping communities realize their greatest potential. She enjoys listening to many different voices in a community, building consensus and achieving their goals for each individual project. Her high energy and attention to detail allows for a fresh perspective to lead and manage any project.

Caitlin is a licensed Landscape Architect in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri and is involved in local efforts that help make her community better. She is an Iowa State University alum with a passion for helping communities, neighborhoods and agencies realize the opportunities that their cities have to offer. She enjoys building relationships with those who are also passionate about their communities and finding different ways to positively impact each design, community or space. When not at the office, you can find Caitlin spending time with her husband (Kaleb), exploring the outdoors, or catching up on the newest book on audible.