Samuel Gollah
Portland,OR
Summary
Dynamic planning professional with extensive experience at Environmental Management Systems, Inc., excelling in zoning and building approvals. Proven ability to facilitate public engagement and author technical reports, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Skilled in independent and collaborative work, driving successful project outcomes and enhancing community involvement.
Overview
2024
2024
years of professional experience
Work History
Planner/Marketing
Environmental Management Systems, Inc.
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Delivered land use and planning consulting services to diverse clients.
- Conducted networking and bid proposals to secure new contracts.
- Facilitated meetings with potential clients, including Portland and Hillsboro, to negotiate contracts.
- Inspected multiple project sites to verify compliance with zoning and permit regulations.
Development Consultant
Gollah Consulting LLC
Portland, Oregon
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Co-designed and executed public involvement services for metro's disparity equity and inclusion study.
Authored and secured numerous land use and building permit approvals for private clients across Oregon and Washington.
Provided building permit services for PBOT to ensure compliance with regulations.
Collaborated on outreach initiatives to enhance community engagement during the study.
Development Specialist
City of Millersburg
Millersburg, Oregon
06.2017 - 12.2017
- Served as the Planning Lead with oversight on day-to-day planning operations.
- Provided interpretations of the City's zoning and permit regulations, General Plan, State of Oregon, and federal land use rules and presented at Planning Commission and City Council meetings.
- Authored technical reports including findings and Planning Commission meetings reports. Also, I authored code violation memos and conducted field investigation for, parking, site conditions. I reviewed development applications submitted to the city for compliance.
Planner/Project Manager
Gollah/First United Engineering
Portland
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Executed public involvement and outreach for metro's disparity equity and inclusion study.
- Collaborated with civil engineering and survey firms to deliver building consulting services.
- Provided consulting services for Portland's comprehensive plan update.
- Authored and secured multiple zoning and building permit approvals for private clients.
Land Use Planning and Community Development Review
- Facilitated public understanding of zoning codes and land use regulations through in-person, phone, and written communication.
- Organized pre-application conference meetings to streamline project initiation processes.
- Authored and secured development application approvals for multiple commercial and residential projects as a planning consultant.
- Reviewed zoning and permit applications to ensure regulatory compliance and approval.
- Presented zoning applications at hearings and planning commission meetings as both public planner and consultant.
- Provided expert guidance on general plans, state, and federal land use rules during consultations.
- Conducted thorough analysis of land use applications to support informed decision-making.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to promote adherence to zoning regulations and enhance project outcomes.
Experience in the zoning administration, permit compliance and project analysis
- Conducted equity reviews for City of Portland's comprehensive plan update.
- Provided zoning and permit compliance services for residential and commercial projects.
- Reviewed production drawings for site plans and residential developments to ensure quality.
- Evaluated land division and building permits for adherence to compliance standards.
Experience in Working with Diverse Groups of Employees and Stakeholders
- Reviewed development projects with engineers and fire marshals for compliance and approval processes.
- Collaborated with radio frequency, civil engineers, architects, and contractors on land use and building permit projects.
- Engaged with professional consultants and contractors to successfully deliver public and private projects.
- Participated in municipal review teams to ensure adherence to city regulations.
Education
Certificate - Executive Leadership Management
University of Washington
Seattle, WA01-2014
Masters - Community and Regional Planning
University of Oregon
Eugene, ORBachelors of Science - Planning & Public Policy Management
University of Oregon
Eugene, ORSkills
- Researching jurisdictional issues
- Zoning and building approvals
- Oregon land use planning
- Public and neighborhood meeting facilitation
- Architectural and construction drawing review
- Code interpretation
- Independent and collaborative work
- Federal, state, and local regulations
- Findings authoring
Affiliations
- Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs 2010 -Present
- PBOT's Transportation Systems Plan Expert Group, Portland 2014 - 2015
- Portland Public School: Equity /Contract Advisory Committee 2015 - 2025
- Portland Bureau of Transportation Budget Advisory Committee 2016 - 2018
Timeline
Planner/Marketing
Environmental Management Systems, Inc.
01.2023 - 01.2024
Development Consultant
Gollah Consulting LLC
01.2018 - 01.2022
Development Specialist
City of Millersburg
06.2017 - 12.2017
Planner/Project Manager
Gollah/First United Engineering
01.2012 - 01.2016
Land Use Planning and Community Development Review
Experience in the zoning administration, permit compliance and project analysis
Experience in Working with Diverse Groups of Employees and Stakeholders
Certificate - Executive Leadership Management
University of Washington
Masters - Community and Regional Planning
University of Oregon
Bachelors of Science - Planning & Public Policy Management
University of Oregon