The Road to Recovery: Rebuilding Communities After Wildfires

The Center for California Real Estate (CCRE), an institute of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, presents “The Road to Recovery: Rebuilding Communities After Wildfires,” a virtual panel taking place on Wednesday, March 26, 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. This timely discussion brings together leading experts to explore the critical challenges and opportunities of rebuilding after Southern California’s devastating wildfires.

Panelists will discuss innovative strategies for recovery including fire-resistant construction, efforts tailored to address diverse community needs, and forward-thinking development approaches. With thousands of families displaced and communities working to rebuild stronger than before, this panel will provide actionable insights, lessons learned, and groundbreaking solutions to address the immediate and long-term needs of fire-impacted areas.

Moderator:

William Fulton

Professor of Practice

UC San Diego Department of Urban Studies and Planning

Fulton, FAICP, is editor and publisher of California Planning & Development Report and author of Guide to California Planning, the standard textbook on planning in California. In his career, Fulton has been Mayor of Ventura, Director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of San Diego, and Principal at the urban planning consulting firm now known as Placeworks. These days, he also writes the Future Of Where Substack newsletter and serves as a Senior Advisor to PFM Consulting Group, working with local governments across the country. He holds master’s degrees in mass communication from American University in Washington, D.C., and Urban Planning from UCLA.

Panelists:

Steve Crowder

Mayor

Town of Paradise

Mayor Crowder was first elected to serve on Town Council on November 6, 2018. Prior to running for Council, Crowder served on numerous Stakeholder Committees for the Town, including the Beautification, Business License and Sewer Committee, as well as well as serving as a board member for the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Crowder has been a Paradise resident since 2013. He and his wife own an embroidery and shirt printing business and serve the community through participation in fraternal and service organizations, such as the Paradise Moose Lodge, Paradise Rotary Club and the Paradise Parade of Flags. Steve and his wife Lori and have 3 children and 4 grandchildren and are both heavily involved within the community.

Laurie C. Fisher

Founder & CEO

PHNX Development

With more than 25 years of experience in the United States and abroad, Fisher’s award-winning designs have garnered recognition in print and throughout the design/construction industry. Certified by the State of California in Crisis Intervention since 2014, she utilized her training in Trauma Informed Care to develop a design process that is sensitive to the unique needs of wildfire survivors. After working with fire survivors to rebuild their homes, Fisher saw and experienced first-hand the many challenges and obstacles that these resilient people face and became determined to create a process that is sensitive to their needs and treats survivors with dignity and respect.

Jennifer Hernandez

Partner

Holland & Knight

Hernandez has practiced land use and environmental law for more than 30 years, and leads Holland & Knight's West Coast Land Use and Environmental Group. She is a former longtime co-chair of the firm's national Land Use and Government Team. Hernandez is the only California lawyer ranked by her clients and peers in Chambers USA in the top tier of both land use/zoning and environmental lawyers. Hernandez also has received numerous civil rights awards for her work on overcoming environmentalist opposition to housing and other projects needed and supported by minority communities. She has written three books, and more than 50 articles, on environmental and land use topics, and regularly teaches land use, environmental and climate law in law and business schools, colleges and seminars. Hernandez graduated with honors from Harvard University and Stanford Law School, and clerked for Region 20 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) before beginning her land use and environmental law career.