The staff members of Des Moines Area MPO bring a diverse range of experience and expertise to the region. To request a presentation by an MPO staff member, click here.
Dylan Mullenix, AICP | Interim Executive Director
Dylan Mullenix has more than 15 years experience in local government, specializing in transportation planning, regional planning, sustainability planning and land-use planning. As the MPO’s assistant director, he oversees the activities of the planning staff. He leads the team in developing the long-range transportation plan, in developing the annual work program and budget, and in striving to develop new projects. Dylan earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and geography as well as a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Iowa.
Email: dmullenix@dmampo.org
Phone: 515-334-0075
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Tracey Deckard | Office Manager
Tracey Deckard provides the overall administrative management and front office support necessary to keep the organization running smoothly. With an extensive legal background and broad experience in both legal and administrative functions, Tracey oversees the facilities, equipment, and general day-to-day operations that enable the MPO to function effectively and efficiently. Tracey attended both Des Moines Area Community College and Northeast Missouri State University and has a paralegal degree.
Email: tdeckard@dmampo.org
Phone: 515-334-0075
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Zach Young, AICP, MRTPI, CNU-A | Planning Manager
Zach Young has more than 10 years of experience in planning, with focus in the areas of land use, urban planning, environmental planning and transit-oriented development. He is knowledgeable in the areas of form-based codes, street design standards, and taxation and economic development. At the MPO, he manages the Long-Range Transportation Planning process and the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program. He earned a bachelor’s degree in city planning from Missouri State University and a master’s degree in city planning and regeneration from the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Zach is a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). He is also certified in the areas of new urbanism and form-based code.
Email: zyoung@dmampo.org
Phone: 515-334-0075
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Rhonda Miller | Accountant
Rhonda Miller joined the Des Moines Area MPO in 2022 as the Accountant bringing more than 25 years of experience in budgeting and finance. She has a diversity of experiences, having worked with businesses both large and small, new and established. She has assisted two small companies launch their businesses, and she has helped a large corporation through a period of growth. She also spent 19 years at the business manager of a locally owned company. She attended the Des Moines Area Community College.
Email: rmiller@dmampo.org
Phone: 515-334-0075
Gunnar Olson | Public Affairs Manager
Gunnar Olson has more than 20 years of experience in journalism and public affairs. As Public Affairs Manager, he oversees the MPO’s communications strategy and execution; serves as a liaison to partner organizations; and serves as project manager for strategic public policy initiatives. He has earned a reputation as an engaging spokesperson for regional causes and is known for being well organized, collaborative, and persistent in implementing projects of regional significance. He was a driving force behind the establishment of the Mid-Iowa Planning Alliance for Community Development, and he was the primary author of the $25 million BUILD grant for water trails. His work has received numerous professional recognitions, including the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 in 2015. Previously, he was the public affairs manager for the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) and a staff writer with The Des Moines Register. He is an alumnus of Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2013.
Email: golson@dmampo.org
Phone: 515-334-0075
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gunnarbolson
Twitter: @gunnarbolson
Andrew Collings, AICP | Principal Planner
Andrew Collings is the primary staff person for the Central Iowa Regional Transportation Planning Alliance (CIRTPA). He also manages the MPO’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Before joining the MPO, he worked at the Southern Iowa Council of Governments, where he wrote grants applications for and provided technical assistance to member communities. He administered grants primarily through the State’s Community Development Block Program, managed the organization’s GIS, and developed comprehensive plans and hazard mitigation plans. He earned a master’s degree in urban and regional planning and a bachelor’s degree in geography, both from the University of Iowa.
Email: acollings@dmampo.org
Phone: 515-334-0075
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Zhi Chen, AICP | Senior Planner
Zhi Chen is interested in leveraging technologies to improve the connection between transportation planning and land-use planning, specifically with regards to spatial justice, public health, and the environment. At the Des Moines Area MPO, he works on the Iowa Data Bike project, data collection and analyses, GIS mapping, travel demand modeling, and performance measures and reports. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and history from Grinnell College and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Iowa.
Email: zchen@dmampo.org
Phone: 515-334-0075
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Carl Saxon | Senior Planner
Carl Saxon has more than 13 years of experience in transit planning and operations, bringing a wealth of knowledge and passion for creating comprehensive and integrated transportation solutions to make the region more livable for all. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geography from The University of Iowa.
Email: csaxon@dmampo.org
Phone: 515-334-0075
Allison van Pelt, CC-P | Senior Planner
Allison has more than 12 years experience in the field of sustainable development, specializing in resilience, equity, and regional planning. She has been with the Des Moines Area MPO since 2015. As a Senior Planner, she leads, advises, and supports environmental and equity projects throughout Central Iowa. She is in charge of driving the MPOs sustainability and climate initiatives, leading and assisting long- and short-range planning, facilitating multiple regional roundtables, and supporting MPO outreach and education to the public, member jurisdictions, and community partners.
Email: avanpelt@dmampo.org
Phone: 515-334-0075
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Lucas Young | Senior Planner
Lucas Young is a planner with a focus on housing and rural planning issues. Lucas joined the MPO from the private sector where he most recently worked as the business and sales manager for a modular and manufactured home retailer. Prior to his time in the private sector, Lucas served as Housing Planner and Rehabilitation Specialist for the Southern Iowa Council of Governments in Creston. There he focused on owner-occupied repair programs funded via Community Development Block Grants and through the Local Housing Trust Fund. While in Creston, Lucas also developed comprehensive plans and prepared grant applications for member governments. Lucas enjoys living in Iowa and interacting with his community, notably serving as commissioner on the Knoxville Planning and Zoning Commission since 2014
Email: lyoung@dmampo.org
Phone: 515-334-0075