Planner-in-Residence 2018-2019

As a result of growing interest among students for real-world experiences, the Urban and Regional Planning program has undertaken several initiatives over the years to meet this demand including, inviting planners for guest talks in planning courses, as jury members for senior capstone projects, as participants in guided site visits, hosting seminars, and encouraging students to apply for internships.

This year saw the launch of a new program called ‘Planner-in-Residence’ (PIR). The PIR invites an experienced practitioner to teach a planning course for the entire semester. The objective of the program is to provide an opportunity for planning students to interact with and learn from the PIR in an academic setting. Mr. Merrill Flood joined in fall 2018 as our first PIR. He graduated from ECU with a BS in Urban and Regional Planning in 1987. He also completed a Municipal Administration Certificate in 1996 from the Institute of Government, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mr. Flood is a true pirate planner. Starting as an Enforcement Planner I in 1988 at the City of Greenville, he was promoted during subsequent years to Planner I followed by Development Administrator Planner II, Senior Planner, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development, Interim Director of Planning and Community Development and eventually heading the Community Development Department as the Director of Community Development. He retired as the Assistant City Manager of the City of Greenville in 2017. Mr. Flood has witnessed Greenville’s planning history over a period of 30 years of dedicated work as a professional planner for the city. He currently serves as the Director of Planning and Development at ECU.

Mr. Flood has received numerous recognitions for his work and leadership, including the 2010 Housing North Carolina Award for Affordable Rental Housing Project Development and the 2002 and 2006 Housing North Carolina Award for Best Single-Family Affordable Housing Production.

As a PIR at ECU, Mr. Flood teaches a planning general education course in social science called Global Cities (PLAN 2030). This course provides students with an introductory exposure to urban planning principles and the social context within which professional planners must navigate in their prospective careers. His knowledge and experience in community building and housing, and his leadership and a keen understanding of political dynamics as a planner is of immense value to our planning students.

We are excited about the program and extend a warm welcome to Mr. Flood as our first Planner-In-Residence. Go Pirates!