Meet the Team
Strategic Minds. Planning Experts. Your Development Allies.
Since 1981, Masterplan Consultants has been a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of zoning, land use, and development strategy. With decades of combined experience in planning, entitlements, and municipal coordination, we bring deep expertise (and a client-first mindset) to every project.
Whether you're seeking rezoning approvals, strategic land use insights, or a smoother path through city hall, our specialists are here to move your vision forward with precision, professionalism, and purpose.
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CEO
Dallas Cothrum, Ph.D.
Dr. Cothrum serves as CEO of Masterplan Consultants and USA Engineers. He joined Masterplan in 2003 as a consultant supporting hundreds of business owners and municipalities prior to assuming his current role in 2009. Throughout his career, Dr. Cothrum has worked on numerous politically charged and technically difficult cases. He directed efforts on Rosewood Court and many types of multi-family projects, and he’s an expert on self-storage usage, so much so that he’s presented at the International Self-Storage Conference twice. His broad expertise spans commercial real estate, municipal government, and expert witness roles, and he regularly consults with clients on requirements for zoning, variances, economic incentives, and community engagement concerning land use, zoning, and new municipal practices. Dr. Cothrum volunteers on the City of University Park Public Works Advisory Committee, and on the Highland Park Education Foundation. He’s a contributing columnist for The Dallas Morning News. In 2024, his piece “Celebrate today knowing the American Revolution is ongoing” received the George Washington Honor Medal. Areas of Expertise: Zoning, Entitlements, Expert Witness Testimony, Negotiation & Advocacy, Community Outreach & Engagement, Strategic Solutions Fun Fact: He officiated high school and college basketball for twenty seasons and was ultimately inducted into the Texas Association of Sports Officials Hall of Fame.
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Executive Director
Karl A. Crawley
Karl has over forty years of experience planning for both the public and private sectors, managing complex land development projects, and securing entitlements for key stakeholders. He currently serves as the Executive Director for Masterplan Consultants, where he provides leadership on the toughest zoning cases and provides mentorship for the entire team. He joined Masterplan in 1998 and, over the past 27 years, has helped many clients across Texas with their land use needs. A recognized industry leader in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Karl played a pivotal role in the development of Victory Park, and he oversaw the planned development creation that led to Pinnacle Park. Notably, Karl was instrumental in the development of the starter line stations for DART, began in 1998, and he recently collaborated on securing approvals that led to the opening of DART’s newest line, the Silver line. Karl has served in leadership roles for various community and municipal organizations. When not at work, Karl enjoys visiting Disney World with his family. Areas of Expertise: Land Planning, Development, Land Use Fun Fact: Karl’s grandfather, Karl F. Hoefle, was director of Dallas Water Utilities during the drought of the 1950s and was instrumental in having water piped from the Red River to Dallas to keep the city supplied.
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Director of Operations
Nicki Ketcham
As Operations Director at Masterplan Consultants, Nicolle leads firmwide management and operations to ensure efficient, high-quality client outcomes. Known for building high-performing teams, she combines strategic oversight with a hands-on approach to collaboration and execution. A Texas Tech graduate with a B.A. in marketing and management, Nicolle previously led marketing for a North American logistics firm before transitioning to the AEC industry in 2016, where she has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies. An active member of the Dallas and Fort Worth Regional Chambers and a board member of AAF Fort Worth, Nicolle is passionate about community engagement. Off the clock, she’s a devoted coffee enthusiast often found exploring local shops with her husband, Chad. Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning, Operational Effectiveness, Meeting Facilitation, Public Relations Fun Fact: She had a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in her honor.
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Senior Consultant, Managing Director Fort Worth
Wes Hoblit
Wes Hoblit leads Masterplan Consultant’s Fort Worth office, guiding clients through complex zoning and land use projects with a focus on collaboration, transparency, and results. Known for his deep understanding of municipal processes and community engagement, Wes has been instrumental in expanding Masterplan’s presence across North Texas. He currently serves on the Fort Worth Board of Adjustment and is active in several civic and industry organizations. Wes combines technical insight with a relationship-driven approach to help clients achieve impactful, sustainable outcomes. Areas of Expertise: Community Outreach & Engagement, Client Representation, Zoning & Land Use Strategies, Abandonments & Variances, Strategic Solutions, Board of Adjustment Fun Fact: Wes enjoys taking analog photos of old buildings, signs, and landmarks that represent a bygone era of Dallas.
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Senior Consultant
Andrew Ruegg, MUEP
Andrew Ruegg joined Masterplan Consultants in November of 2019. Before joining, he worked with the City of Dallas’s Sustainable Development & Construction Department, where he managed zoning cases, coordinated neighborhood and community outreach meetings, and worked with City staff and stakeholders on development code amendments. Andrew is one of our senior consultants, leading some of the firm’s more complex and challenging rezoning applications. His leadership was fundamental in securing approval for the redevelopment of Pepper Square, located at the corner of Preston Road and Belt Line Road. He has also worked with Trinity Park Conservancy. Areas of Expertise: Zoning and Land Use, Neighborhood Meeting Facilitation, Municipal Regulation, Urban Planning Fun Fact: Andrew is an avid snowboarder and has visited all ten ski resorts in New Mexico.
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Consultant
Crystal Lemus
Crystal Lemus is a problem solver who is deeply committed to ensuring each client’s project receives personalized attention and care. With a master's degree in city and regional planning and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington, she brings a strategic approach to every project assigned. Crystal conducts research and analyzes data for the team, and she oversees complex zoning and board of adjustment cases with senior staff. She coordinates submittal processes across various cities and counties, manages project timelines, and collaborates with key stakeholders, from architects, engineers, and general contractors to city staff and residents. Beyond her professional pursuits, Crystal enjoys traveling and recently visited Japan. Areas of Expertise: Board of Adjustment, Zoning & Land Use, Project Management, Community Engagement, Municipal Compliance Fun Fact: Crystal is a total puzzle nerd at heart, whether working through her Sodoku books or diving into video games, one of her favorites being Super Mario Brothers. Her favorite character? Toad.
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Consultant
Laura Lee Gunn, RAS
Laura Lee joined the Masterplan Consultants team in 2024 after graduating with her master’s degree in urban planning from Texas A&M University. Laura Lee regularly conducts due diligence on behalf of our clients, and she manages zoning change requests alongside senior consultants. Laura Lee recently obtained her Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS) license, so she now reviews projects and conducts site inspections for Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA) and Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) compliance. Over the past three years, she has been involved primarily with civil engineering firms around the state of Texas, specifically on comprehensive plans, zoning applications, economic development, and master planning. In her free time, Laura Lee enjoys taking her dog Indigo on adventures and training horses on a nearby ranch. Areas of Expertise: Zoning and Land Use, Analytical & Technical Writing, Comprehensive Plans, Master Planning, Texas Accessibility Standards Fun Fact: Laura Lee is ambidextrous.
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Consultant
Dani R. Chou
Dani Raschel Chou brings know-how and relationship management to Masterplan Consultants. With a background in city planning and years navigating various city codes and processes, Dani provides support on projects that have shaped communities across North Texas. Before joining the firm, Dani held various planning roles for the cities of Laredo, Dallas, Arlington, and McKinney, where she gained an understanding of entitlement pathways. Her ability to bridge the gap between developers, city staff, and community stakeholders makes her a key partner in moving projects from conception to approval. In addition to her technical skills, Dani assists on community engagement projects, where she served as support for projects such as the redevelopment of the Rolling Hills Golf Course and various rezoning requests in Highland Park. Outside of work, Dani is pursuing her Master’s of Science degree in Communications at Syracuse University, where she’s learning the theory and practice of strategic communication. She’s also co-founder of Orca Bun Runners, a non-profit dedicated to saving salmon populations for the Southern Resident orcas. Areas of Expertise: Board of Adjustment, Zoning & Land Use Fun Fact: When she’s not coordinating land use projects, Dani’s likely training for her next triathlon or ultramarathon, proof that she can go the distance in and out of the office.
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Business Development
Jeremy Cyr
Jeremy Cyr supports Masterplan Consultants’ business development efforts by building relationships with developers, property owners, and industry partners across Texas. With nearly two decades of experience in real estate development, Jeremy brings a deep understanding of the full development lifecycle and the challenges clients face when navigating land use, entitlements, and municipal processes. Prior to joining Masterplan, Jeremy served as Division President for Quarterra Group in Texas, where he oversaw multifamily development strategy and project delivery across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Throughout his career, he has led the development of numerous large-scale residential communities and mixed-use projects, managing site acquisition, entitlements, design coordination, and construction execution. Jeremy’s background working directly for national and regional development firms—including Quarterra Group, Southern Land Company, and UDR—gives him a client-focused perspective and a strong network within the real estate industry. At Masterplan, he leverages that experience to connect clients with strategic land use solutions and guide them through the early stages of project planning and entitlement strategy. Areas of Expertise: Business Development, Real Estate Development Strategy, Client Relations, Multifamily Development, Project Leadership, Strategic Partnerships
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