Christopher Canna
4 Grace Lane, Killingworth, Connecticut 860.368.8180 | ckcanna@gmail.com
Profile
Passionate about creating a human-scaled and sustainable built environment. Analytical, leadership and communication skills recognized by promotions and awards, and resulting in successful team projects Education 2011
University of Michigan, Master of Urban Planning, Urban Design + Real Estate Dev. Concentrations
2004
3.95 / 4.00 GPA; Awarded Urban and Regional Planning Fellowship Professional Project: Analyzed market potential of vacant sites to help focus redevelopment in Flint, MI Finance Project: Identified Chicago CBD office property suitable for investment, wrote prospectus Capstone Project: Created master plan for developer with lease on 40-acre transit hub in Mexico City
McGill University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science + English Literature, Montreal, QC
Career History 2010 - Present
Research Assistant, Professor Maria Arquero, University of Michigan
Summer 2010
Research + Planning Intern, Downtown Development Authority, Ann Arbor, MI
Fall 2010
Managed consultants, budgets and reports for business development projects in Asia + Latin America Consistently met project goals while finishing on-time and under-budget Oversaw ten RFP responses requiring collaboration across departments; never missed a deadline Wrote grant proposals which managers regularly praised as well organized, clear and concise Edited 100 page ‘Artisan Health and Safety Manual’ published by the eBay Foundation Developed and led Excel training workshops, and acted as software specialist for coworkers
Administrative Assistant, Aid to Artisans, West Hartford, CT (2007 - 2008)
2005 - 2006
Awarded position after receiving highest grade in course the previous year, and demonstrating ability to interpret complex land use legal problems while clearly communicating appropriate solutions
Project Coordinator, Aid to Artisans, West Hartford, CT (2008 - 2009)
Analyzed local hotel market by researching demographic and regional supply trends, conducting case studies and interviewing local stakeholders to help determine demand for new downtown hotel Created building permit database to help quantify investment in downtown real estate Designed and implemented bicycle parking count and survey in collaboration with city transportation officials to determine parking demand and identify ways to improve supply
Teaching Assistant, Legal Aspects of Planning Practice, University of Michigan
2007 - 2009
Examine LID regulations / incentives to determine their effect on real estate development and site design Analyze stormwater data using GIS to create maps and text for publication in atlases and exhibitions
Promoted due to organizational and communication skills proven while coordinating RFP responses, writing grants, supporting project coordinators, managing office supplies and facilitating meetings
English Language Teacher, AUA Language Center, Bangkok, Thailand
Promoted to advanced classes due to effective lesson presentation and good rapport with students
Leadership Winter 2011
Team Leader + Finalist, ULI / Hines Urban Design Competition
2010 - 2011
Led interdisciplinary team to competition finals; one of only four teams chosen from field of 153 Created development proposal, including site plan and pro forma, for 30-acre parcel in Seattle
Board Member, Michigan Real Estate Club, University of Michigan
Skills
Represented club on ULI Real Estate Forum committee that planned two-day event for 300 attendees Increased student turnout at forum 10% over previous year through direct marketing efforts
Project Management Market + Financial Analysis Professional Writing + Public Speaking Microsoft Office, Argus, ArcGIS, Adobe CS, AutoCAD, Google SketchUp
Affiliations
Urban Land Institute BOMA Atlanta U.S. Green Building Council University of Michigan Real Estate Club American Planning Association