Occupation: Senior Advisor and Director of Planning (Retired)
Company: Econsult Solutions, Inc. and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC)
Born: Manhattan, New York
Education:
Master of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Pittsburgh (1972)
BA in Sociology, Minor in Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh (1969)
Career:
Senior Advisor, Econsult Solutions, Inc., Philadelphia, PA (2014-Present)
Director of Planning, Associate Director, Deputy Director, and Director, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), Philadelphia, PA (1998-2014)
Director of Long Range Planning, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia, PA (1990-1998)
Director, Strategic Planning Division, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) (1984-1990)
Associate Director, Principal Planner, Senior Planner, Community Planning/Transportation Planning, Montgomery County Planning Commission, Norristown, PA (1971-1984)
Civic:
Member, Chapter Legislative and Policy Committee (2019-Present); Board Secretary, PenTrans (2017-Present); Board Member, PenTrans (2015-Present); Member, Advisory Council, Geography and Planning Department, West Chester University (2012-Present); Member, Transit Cooperative Research Program, National Academy of Sciences (1992-Present); Site Visitor, Planning Accreditation Board, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (2020); Site Visitor, Planning Accreditation Board, University of California Berkeley (2016); Site Visitor, Planning Accreditation Board, Cornell University (2013); Site Visitor, Planning Accreditation Board, Iowa State University of Science and Technology (2008); Site Visitor, Planning Accreditation Board, The Ohio State University (2004); Site Visitor, Planning Accreditation Board, Portland State University (2001); Site Visitor, Planning Accreditation Board, University of Washington (1988); Site Visitor, Planning Accreditation Board, University of Virginia (1985); Volunter, Philadelphia Architect’s Workshop (1971-1972); Former Volunteer, Planner, Local Communities; Former Volunteer, Organizations Related to Communities
Creative Works:
Moderator/Panelist, Various Planning Topics, Annual Conference, American Planning Association, PA Chapter (APA PA) (1974-Present); Co-chair, Regional Workshop Program, American Planning Association, PA Chapter (APA PA) (1980)
Awards:
Recipient, Planning Leadership Award for Distinguished Service, Pennsylvania Chapter, American Planning Association (APA) (2015); Fellow, American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP), APA (2010); Honoree, Outstanding Site Visitor, Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) (2009); Recipient, Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence (2005)
Memberships:
Appointed Member, Public Transportation Planning and Development Committee, Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences (2016-Present); Associate Member, Urban Land Institute (1987-2005, 2007-Present); Chair, Strategic Plan Subcommittee, Committee Friend, Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences (2008-2015); Fellow, American Institute of Certified Planners (FAICP), APA (2010); Chapter Board Member and Chair, Legislative Committee, American Planning Association, PA Chapter (APA PA) (1999-2010); Vice Chair, Public Sector Outreach Committee and Technical Assistance Advisory Panel Committee, Urban Land Institute, Southeastern PA (2009); Appointed Member, Public Transportation Planning and Development Committee, Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences (1996-2008); National Legislative and Policy Committee, American Planning Association (APA) (2006-2008); Vice Chair, Southeast Section Council, American Planning Association, PA Chapter (APA PA) (1999-2003); Appointed Member, Committee on Major Activity Center Circulation Systems, Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences (1999-2002); Board Member, SEPTA Representative, National Station Car Association (1994-1995); Legislative Committee, American Planning Association, PA Chapter (APA PA) (1986-1990); Ethics Committee, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), APA (1984-1987); National/State Policy Coordinating Committee, American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), APA (1984-1987); Chair, Legislative Committee, American Planning Association, PA Chapter (APA PA) (1986); Professional Development Officer, American Planning Association, Eastern PA Chapter (APA PA) (1976-1981); Executive Committee, American Planning Association, PA Chapter (APA PA) (1973-1981); President, American Planning Association, Eastern PA Chapter (APA PA) (1977, 1978); Brandywine Polo Club; The American Alpine Club; American Planning Association (APA); American Planning Association, PA Chapter (APA PA)
Family:
Son of Richard G. Bickel Sr. and Ruth Lee Bickel
Widowed: Margaret Franck (Deceased 2012)
Two Brothers
Hobbies:
Golfing; Reading; Watching polo at the Brandy-Wine Polo Club; Hiking; Armchair mountaineering; Trips to Chicago, IL, Wisconsin, Washington, D.C., Newport, RI); Time with friends
