Kimberly Sharp
Westerville,OH
Summary
Driven Planning and Development Director with proven ability to lead development initiatives and enhance organizational growth. Successfully managed complex projects, fostering strong stakeholder relationships and delivering impactful results. Demonstrated leadership skills and strategic vision in guiding teams and executing high-level development strategies.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Director of Development
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
11.2019 - 08.2025
- Managed planning and economic development staff within the transit agency, producing long-range an short-range transit service plans and navigated daily public transit delivery through the COVID years. Utilizing adopted regional planning, such as COTA NextGEN and Insight2050 Corridor Concepts, I partnered with multiple Central Ohio public agencies to develop a 35-year $8B mobility infrastructure program called “LinkUS”. The following documents have been published under my leadership, and I brought nearly $200 million in state and federal grant funding to the transit agency during my tenure.
- 2020 COTA Short-Range and Long-Range Plan
- 2022 LinkUS Community Action Plan
- 2024 Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Action Plan
Deputy Director of Planning & Development
City of Westerville
11.2013 - 11.2019
- Managed 35 staff under Building, Code Enforcement, Engineering and Planning, fostering a positive work environment through transparency, communication and process improvements. I focused efforts on long-term planning, professional development for all staff, cost recovery, communication and customer service delivery. I excelled at ensuring project coordination with local and regional partners and promoting grass-roots Economic Development initiatives and positive town-gown relationships. City projects I have led and regional initiatives where I have represented Westerville include:
- 2014-16 Imagine Westerville Community Plan
- 2015 Established Main Street America ‘Uptown Westerville, Inc.’
- 2017-19 Westerville Mobility Plan
- 2017 COTA NextGen Advisory Group
- 2018-19 Insight2050 Corridor Concepts Steering Committees
Redevelopment Manager; Neighborhood Planner; Comprehensive Planning Manager
City of Flagstaff
01.2005 - 01.2013
- 2009-12 Flagstaff Regional Plan project manager, responsible for public participation; consensus building; website management; research, analysis and editing; built strong collaborations with regional Metropolitan Planning Organization, State Departments of Transportation, Commerce, Housing and Smart Growth as well as Coconino County, Hopi and Navajo Tribes, and federal land agencies. www.flagstaff.az.gov/regionalplan
- 2010-11 Team member in Flagstaff Zoning Code re-write, Flagstaff Unified School District facilities planning. Project lead for area (neighborhood) plans - incorporating design principles and practices as well as applicable federal, state and local planning laws. Sample projects: La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Plan; Flagstaff Pulliam Airport Area Plan
- 2008-09 Staff liaison for Beautification and Public Art Commission, developing a Beautification and Flagstaff Urban Trail System 5-yr Strategic Plan. Policy development for Infill Incentive Districts.
- 2007 South San Francisco and Beaver Streetscape: Downtown Parking Study; Authored eight grants and secured $1.06M for redevelopment, streetscape, historic preservation projects and planning initiatives.
Architecture Project Manager and Designer
Glave & Holmes Architects
01.1999 - 01.2005
- Specialized in historic building rehabilitation and new development; construction documents; specifications and code compliance. Sample projects include historic adaptive re-use, residential and commercial, museum designs and University of Virginia projects.
Education
Masters of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) - Urban Revitalization
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VirginiaBachelor of Science in Architecture -
Ohio State University
Columbus, OhioSkills
Communication - verbal, written and presentations
Visionary Leadership
Team mobilization
Research and Analysis
Public Policy
Financial Acumen
Accomplishments
Elected as Urban Land Institute (ULI) Columbus District Chair, serving 2025-2027, as a visionary leader of sustainable regional growth in Central Ohio
Affiliations
- Organizations:
- 2005 – present Urban Land Institute (ULI); ULI Columbus 2014-present
- 2007- present American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
- 2007- present American Planning Association
- 2009 to2013 Board Member, BOTHANDS, non-profit housing assistance
- 2006 to 2013 Small Business Development Center Board Member (SBDC)
- 2004 National Trust for Historic Preservation
Certification
American Institute of Certified Planners, AICP
Timeline
Senior Director of Development
Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
11.2019 - 08.2025
Deputy Director of Planning & Development
City of Westerville
11.2013 - 11.2019
Redevelopment Manager; Neighborhood Planner; Comprehensive Planning Manager
City of Flagstaff
01.2005 - 01.2013
Architecture Project Manager and Designer
Glave & Holmes Architects
01.1999 - 01.2005
Masters of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) - Urban Revitalization
Virginia Commonwealth University
Bachelor of Science in Architecture -
Ohio State University
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