Fellow in Service
THOMAS DOOLITTLE , FASLA
Fellow in Service
FELLOWS CLASS OF 2016
THOMAS DOOLITTLE , FASLA
/ BSLA
Simply being nominated to the Council of Fellows in an enormous honor , especially in the Boston Chapter with its high level of excellence achieved by our member practitioners , educators , and advocates of the profession . To be recognized by the Council as worthy of election into its ranks is deeply satisfying . My service to the profession has always been driven by a strong desire to have Landscape Architects recognized for the important contributions we make to people ’ s lives ; receiving this honor is certainly a sign that my efforts have been successful and appreciated by my peers .
For over 25 years , Tom has exemplified service in the advancement of the profession of landscape architecture through his achievements as a volunteer , an advocate for the profession , and as a Chapter and national leader for ASLA . He has tirelessly worked to promote landscape architecture , and to advance the public ’ s understanding of the contributions that Landscape Architects can make in creating vibrant public spaces and livable , walkable cities . Tom has volunteered countless hours of his time building bridges to other professions , organizations , and civic groups .
During his nearly three decades of continuous service to ASLA , Tom has held multiple roles and offices at both the national and chapter level . Most recently , he completed a two-year term as ASLA Vice President of Government Affairs . His focus centered on building approaches to make the ASLA ’ s and landscape architects ’ legislative initiatives attractive to an increasingly conservative Congress . He pushed ASLA staff and members to make sure they considered how issues of greatest interest to landscape architects would be viewed by both parties , and encouraged development of language and approaches that brought home the value of any legislation to all sides . Tom came to the vice president position well-versed in legislative advocacy : he served as chair of ASLA ’ s Licensure and Government Affairs Advisory Committees , was a member of the Policy Committee , and participated in more than a dozen federal Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill .
Since 1991 , Tom has been an active volunteer and leader of BSLA : serving Treasurer , President , and Trustee , and chairing several committees ( including licensure and fundraising ), and contributing his time as a resource , advisor , and activist . A consistent theme in Tom ’ s service has been elevating the visibility of the profession and ensuring the long-term stability of the organization through policy development and strategic planning . Also , Tom represents landscape architecture in allied organizations — such as serving for ten years on the Board of Directors of WalkBoston . There , his commentary on the quality of the pedestrian environment helped protect and sustain the City ’ s walkability standards and demonstrated how Landscape Architects can play a central role in improving the City ’ s quality of life .
Tom received his BLA from Ball State University , and is currently a Senior Design Associate with Alta Planning + Design , where he works on pedestrian and bicycle facilities projects throughout the northeast .
“ Tom Doolittle ’ s service to ASLA during our Centennial Celebration was unsurpassed and made a large contribution to the success of the event . As President of the Boston Chapter in 1999 , Tom worked tirelessly for two years leading up to the celebration , organizing both on the national and Chapter level , coordinating every detail for the ASLA Annual Meeting in Boston . Tom ’ s dedication to serving ASLA and the profession of landscape architecture during the Centennial Celebration is , in and of its self , worthy of this high recognition .”
~ Barry Starke , FASLA Past President , American Society of Landscape Architects
Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook
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