Our Team
Executive Department
William “Billy” Almond
Principal Landscape Architect
William D. Almond, ASLA, CLARB is a licensed Landscape Architect with over 43 years’ experience on a wide range of residential, commercial, municipal, military and institutional projects. Prior to establishing the landscape architectural division at WPL, Mr. Almond was Senior Associate at the Norfolk based architectural firm of Shriver and Holland Associates for over 21 years. This combined with WPL’s extensive practice of landscape architecture has afforded Mr. Almond a broad range of knowledge in all aspects of landscape architecture including site analysis, master planning, site planning, site design and construction detailing, planting design as well as bid and award and construction administration. Mr. Almond has served all federal, state and local municipal governments inclusive of all the Tidewater Virginia cities. Mr. Almond has extensive ties to his local community serving on city council appointed boards and commissions as well as local neighborhood civic leagues.
William “Buddy” Pritchard
Land Surveyor
Buddy has broad experience relating to various types of land surveying. His supervision of technical and physical activities of the Survey Division has been an integral part of WPL for 60 years. Buddy has helped make WPL efficient, responsive, and competitive. He strengthened his knowledge base by completing courses in Surveying Studies at Old Dominion College, now known as Old Dominion University.
Eric Garner
Principal Land Surveyor
As project manager in charge of residential and commercial land development, Eric is responsible for the design, drafting and correspondence of those surveying and engineering projects. He also assists the survey division with boundary and topographic surveys and construction layout. Since joining WPL in 1998, he has received a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Old Dominion University and became a Licensed Land Surveyor in 2007 in both Virginia and North Carolina.
Civil Engineering Department
Lance Large
Civil Engineer
Mr. Lance Large, the original founder of WPL’s land development design and engineering group has decided to rejoin the firm’s land development team. A 1977 Virginia Tech Site Engineering graduate with over 34 years of continuous experience as a Virginia Professional Engineer, he possesses a comprehensive understanding of all aspects related to public and private land development projects. This experience includes pre-planning, budgeting, cost estimating, design, bidding, permitting, construction administration and client coordination. Lance has lead the principal site design and management of nearly 100 local K-12 educational facility projects, as well as numerous commercial, municipal and residential site development projects.
Brad Martin
Senior Vice President of Engineering
Brad Martin has more than 28 years of experience in engineering design and development project management, all of it in the Coastal Virginia area. Brad earned a double-major in Physics-Engineering and Mathematics at Washington and Lee University in 1992. He became a Professional Engineer in 1998. Brad’s engineering credentials include work at several Virginia Beach consulting firms, then founding Martin Engineering in 2007 and successfully managing all aspects of Martin Engineering for eight years, until merging the firm into a larger regional company.
Land Surveying Department
Erick Smith
SENIOR ASSOCIATE | CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATOR
Erick L. Smith is the Construction Administrator at WPL. He has 26 years of experience in both surveying and construction. Mr. Smith started at WPL in the Survey Division where he worked his way up to field crew chief and then into construction administration and project management. Over the years he has gained extensive experience in all types of land surveying, construction layout and construction administration. It is this experience that enables him to bridge the gap between the Site Engineer’s designs and the contractor carrying out the plans. It is his job to interpret construction documents and provide guidance in the field. As a Construction Administrator, Mr. Smith is essential in keeping construction costs within our client’s budget.
Brian McGuire
CADD TECHNICIAN/EIT
Brian McGuire is a CADD Technician who has been with WPL since May 2014, Brian drafts physical surveys, topographic surveys, as-built surveys, and some site plans. Brian completed his Associates of Applied Science degree in Computer-Aided Drafting at ITT Tech in 2014. He is now attending TCC Virginia Beach, pursuing an AAS in Site Engineering Technology. Brian plans on Transferring to Old Dominion to complete his BS in Site Engineering Technology. He is member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Some notable projects he has worked on, site plans in The Cavalier Residences, Hill Point at River Bluff and Johnstown Estates. He has also worked on and completed condo plats and plans throughout the area, from Virginia Beach, to Chesapeake.
Marty Bissell
CADD TECHNICIAN
Marty Bissell is a Cadd Technician at WPL. Having been with WPL since January 2012, Marty drafts physical surveys, topographic surveys, as-built surveys, plats and other drafting tasks. He completed his drafting and technology training at Central Kentucky Vocational Technical School in Lexington, Kentucky. Some notable projects that Marty has worked on are the Virginia Beach Dome Site, Plats for the Virginia Beach Biotech Park, and Great Bridge Primary School Replacement in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Landscape Architecture Department
Jarrod Katzer
SENIOR ASSOCIATE | LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Jarrod is a U.S. Navy veteran with familial roots in the midwest and early career experience as a surveyor’s draftsman. As a certified horticulturist and licensed landscape architect, he’s been practicing with WPL in Virginia Beach for nearly two decades. He has completed hundreds of commercial, institutional, and residential design commissions and has specialized in waterfront properties subject to the Chesapeake Bay Act. Jarrod is a skilled tactician in site planning and project management, able to communicate on multiple levels with various public and private stakeholders while serving the community and his profession. Jarrod lives with his wife in the great neck area of Virginia Beach and is a strong advocate for fostering solid relationships and building great places.
Nicole Weisstanner
SENIOR ASSOCIATE | LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Focusing on contemporary design with an eye to the past, Nicole provides extensive experience in site design and master planning along with project management. Nicole is licensed as a landscape architect in the state of Virginia and has successfully lead and managed various projects from concept development through construction administration and has maintained positive relationships with design teams, consultants, clients and public agencies. Project experience includes design and engineering for urban streets and corridors, gateways, plazas, private estates and residences, private commercial and resort development, parks and education facilities as well as master planning projects for cities, counties and historic sites.
Aubrey Pontious
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT| sUAV PILOT
Aubrey Pontious is a recent graduate of The University of Oklahoma with his Masters of Landscape Architecture. With a background in agriculture, forestry, water treatment, telecommunications, and fine arts, Aubrey brings a variety of experiences to the group. He has a passion for learning and is continually engaged in creative outlets of design and fabrication. Aubrey is passionate about sustainability and the relationship we have with our environment.
Derek Suomi
DESIGNER
Derek Suomi brings a unique perspective and positive energy to WPL. Originally from rural Maine, his exposure to the outdoors and love for art and science lured him onto a career path toward landscape architecture. While serving locally in the U.S. Coast Guard, he simultaneously earned Certification as a Horticulturist through Tidewater Community College. Then he moved to Philadelphia where he attended Temple University and was elected as Student Chapter President of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He acquired a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture with Honors, and was presented with the Olmsted Scholar Award for his leadership and service. Derek has since interned with some of the world’s leading landscape architectural firms, and after a brief stint in Orlando, he made his way back to Tidewater. Well-traveled and stocked with diverse design office experiences, Derek now supports WPL on a wide variety of interesting design projects of all scales and multiple markets. When not cranking out design plans at the office, he is spending time with his wife and son, cooking meals, or reading up on the latest tech blogs.
Jay Woodard
DESIGNER
Jay grew up in Virginia Beach and from a young age was surrounded by the world of landscape architecture with both his dad and grandfather being professionals in the industry. His grandfather taught him how to draw and sketch early on and his dad would always walk him through the architecture studios at Virginia Tech on gameday weekends. In 2016 Jay graduated from the landscape architecture program at Virginia Tech and that spring he moved to California where he worked on large scale commercial and city park projects all along the west coast. After a few years in California, Jay travelled to Bali, Indonesia for 6 months to explore southeast Asia and spent the majority of his time surfing perfect waves. After Bali, Jay relocated to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where he worked at a residential landscape architecture firm. The projects were set in the beautiful Wyoming landscape with amazing views of the Teton mountain range always in sight. In the fall of 2019, Jay moved back to his hometown of Virginia Beach to keep pursuing his career in Landscape Architecture with WPL. He is extremely excited to be back on the east coast and working on projects that will benefit his community and make Virginia Beach an even more beautiful place to live.
Will Serge
Landscape Architect
Will, a Virginia Beach native, has over 15 years of experience in the landscaping industry. He graduated from Virginia Tech University where his work primarily focused on community engagement aspects of the participatory design processes. From design concept through project delivery Will advocates for clients, communities, contractors, and collaborators alike to ensure that all critical, technical, and practical design details can be brought to life!
As a licensed landscape architect Will has a variety of experience including landscape design, construction, and maintenance of residential, commercial, and municipal projects.
Marketing Department
Sarah Pritchard
MARKETING COORDINATOR
Sarah Pritchard is a recent graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning & Regional Studies and a minor in Environmental Science. She also graduated Magna Cum Laude and received her Global Education Certificate as well as her Peace Corps Preparatory Certificate. Throughout her college career, she was very involved in many organizations including Epsilon Eta (a co-ed environmental service fraternity), Camp Kesem at VCU, VCU Globe, the Student Transit Collective, and the Urban Studies Student Association. Sarah interned for WPL in the landscape architecture and marketing divisions respectfully before joining WPL full time as Marketing Coordinator. She plans on going back to school to get her Masters in Landscape Architecture in the future.
Laura M. Mayo
Marketing Director
Laura was born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. With a degree in Applied Sciences, Laura has overseen a diverse pool of marketing efforts. Everything from ecommerce, retail boutiques, medical practices and even immersive live events, her specialty is creating engaging, creative opportunities. In Spring 2022 Laura joined WPL as Marketing Director tasked with managing daily outreach, networking, marketing deliverables and budgets, and public relations while underscoring a consistent brand voice.
Administration Department
Tysha Theurer Edwards
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Tysha Theurer Edwards returned to WPL after 30 years and has been with the firm now since 2017. As Operations Director, she oversees much of the day-to-day organization in the office. She has been a proactive participant in helping facilitate business contracts; organize and collect accounts receivable; plan and execute inner-office activities; organize and study budgets; and support for Land Survey team as well as Landscape Architect team. She is also involved in the Firm’s development of new projects, networking with important groups and maintaining positive relationships. During her time away, she worked as a Legal Secretary for 12 years, in Norfolk and Washington D.C.; she was President of the School Board for Star of the Sea School for two years; she was the President of the Bay Colony Garden Club for two years; and she served on Steering Committees for many local charities. Tysha is still involved with her favorite charities and serves as Director of Fundraising for Surfers Healing (a surf camp for children with Autism) and Development Director for Wave Warriors Surf Camp (a surf camp for Wounded Warriors). Tysha enjoys many outdoor activities (all year round) and is the proud Mother of two young men, Matthew and Andrew.
Maggie Phillips
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Maggie Phillips has been an extremely valuable asset to the WPL team since 2017. She is the face of the company and has been working as a proficient multi-tasker with not only the survey and landscape architecture groups but also as the Receptionist. Maggie has exceptional attention to detail and is methodical with each assignment given to her. She assists with billing, invoicing, elevation certificates, pulling plats and physical surveys, scheduling meetings and managing the supplies for the office. Her past work experience in the professional services industry which has set her up for success at WPL. When she is not working, Maggie loves to travel to the western part of the state to her cabin in Woolwine with her husband and two dogs.
Finance Department
Missy Marcus
CONTROLLER
Missy Marcus joined WPL in 2016 and has enhanced all aspects of the Firm’s financial standing with her immense ability and vast background in Bookkeeping and Good Business Practices. She has over 35 years of experience as a Full-Charge Bookkeeper and has worked in every phase of Bookkeeping and Accounting. In the past, Missy worked for architectural firms and construction companies saving them thousands of dollars while helping grow their businesses. Missy designed and wrote her own accounting and payroll software before off-the-shelf versions were available and she has been instrumental in coordinating and completing start-up companies. She is a Virginia Native and has also been an active member of the Hampton Roads community working with several local charities and business organizations, including CANstruction Hampton Roads, Inc., Wildlife Response, Inc. and Lynnhaven Business Association.
Samantha Samples
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
Samantha Samples joined WPL in 2021. Samantha grew up in eastern Pennsylvania and relocated to Virginia Beach in 2011. She received her Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Design and Development from DeVry University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. After working in Marketing for 5 years, Samantha transitioned into an accounting position with her prior company and decided purse her Master of Accounting degree from Southern New Hampshire University while working full time. She has plans of joining Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business which requires members to be in the top 20% of their college class. Samantha has a passion for increasing productivity and creating effective reporting. Samantha has been instrumental in creating standard reports and digging into WPL’s accounting software to create more efficient accounting procedures and policies. She enjoys volunteering with Hope for Life Rescue, which is a local no kill animal rescue for cats and dogs in Virginia Beach and also volunteers with her church, Real Life Christian Church, as a camera operator.