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The Long Island Section of the New York Metro Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Arthur H. Kunz Memorial Scholarships for attendance at the American Planning Association National Conference in Detroit, Michigan.

Awarded annually since 1995, the scholarships honor the memory of Arthur H. Kunz, a dedicated Long Island planner who served Suffolk County for nearly 30 years and championed balanced development and environmental protection. Each scholarship provides up to $2,000 to support conference attendance, participation in at least one mobile workshop, and related expenses. Recipients are asked to share their experiences with Long Island planners through a presentation at the annual Arthur Kunz Memorial Scholarship Breakfast.

2026 Scholarship Recipients

Justin Ames, AICP, LEED AP O+M
Environmental Planner, Nelson, Pope & Voorhis, LLC
Justin supports municipal and private projects across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, advancing land use approvals, environmental review, and infrastructure planning. Recently earning his AICP certification, he is passionate about groundwater protection, environmental justice, and climate resilience. He looks forward to learning from Detroit’s greenway and riverfront planning initiatives.

Brandon Gimpelman, MPA
Project Manager, Empire State Development – Long Island Regional Office
Brandon manages the Long Island Forward Housing Program, providing technical assistance to municipalities advancing housing initiatives. He is eager to deepen his understanding of housing supply, zoning, and infrastructure coordination at the national conference.

Darvin Fuentes
Assistant Planner, City of Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Planning
A lifelong Long Island resident, Darvin supports waterfront and parking studies, GIS-based land use analysis, and public outreach initiatives. His interests include resiliency, mobility, accessibility, and community-centered development.

Rachel A. Bruce
Revitalization Specialist, New York State Department of State
Rachel works with communities across Long Island through programs including the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, NY Forward, Brownfield Opportunity Areas, and Smart Growth planning. She looks forward to bringing innovative planning strategies back to local and state efforts.

In addition to the Arthur Kunz Memorial Scholarship program, the APA Long Island Section offers educational and social opportunities for planners, including conferences, walking tours, joint professional meetings, and the annual scholarship breakfast.

To learn more, visit www.apalongisland.org.
For inquiries, contact Kathy Eiseman at keiseman@nelsonpopevoorhis.com or Sarah Sklar at ssklar@gza.com.

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