Lauren Meléndrez, FASLA Founder, President Lauren Meléndrez is a Landscape Architect and President of Meléndrez. She and her firm have developed numerous high-profile, award winning projects such as Staples Center and the L.A. Civic Center's "10-Minute Diamond Plan," both of which have been catalysts for the revitalization of downtown Los Angeles. Because of her extensive knowledge of landscape architecture and urban design issues, Lauren has been appointed to many boards, task forces, and committees to address development of related policies within the Los Angeles region. Scott D. Baker, ASLA Principal As a Principal with Meléndrez, Scott Baker manages and directs a broad range of project types, providing oversight and leadership to the firm's professional staff. Scott's top priority is dealing directly with clients to thoroughly understand their needs and ensure their project is ultimately user focused and transformative. During his career, Scott has been focused on bringing high-level design to all of his projects, from concept through construction documents and project implementation. His broad range of knowledge stems from six years working for a 150-person firm on high profile national and international projects. As a passionate participant in the Landscape Architecture profession, Scott continues to raise the bar on the quality of our firm's work, living the firm's mission to have a positive impact on the urban environment. Melani Smith Principal Melani Smith brings to her work at Meléndrez communication, management, leadership, and facilitation skills born out of a diverse background in urban planning, marketing and public relations. Her experience in land use and policy planning is brought to bear on a wide range of projects in both the public and private sectors. She works at regional, community and site-specific scales, and manages and develops master plans, specific plans, public outreach plans, design guidelines and general plans. Her work on projects ranges from identifying and engaging project stakeholders, to visioning and golad setting, and continues through planning, to developing implementation strategies. At Meléndrez, Melani solidifies the planning base and focuses on emerging geographic markets for the firm's services. As one of the firm's studio leads, she also diversifies the firm's leadership team. Robert Larlee Managing Principal Bob Larlee is Managing Principal, responsible for operations, business, and resource management with an emphasis on ensuring balanced success. In this role he facilitates Meléndrez's long-term growth strategy that will build the next generation of leadership at the firm. Bob brings a comprehensive knowledge of professional design services from more than 15 years of organizing and managing nationally known architecture firms. A compelling and collegial leader, Bob is recognized for his ability to understand and respond to the firm's evolving needs in a creative, personal, and consensus driven manner.