BSLA Fieldbook BSLA 2015 Spring Fieldbook | Page 17

so there would always be something new to
learn; allowing me to be in nature and work
with a dynamic medium; both artistic and
practical; and not necessarily requiring a suit
and high heels... at least not every day.

CHERI: Landscape architecture is the
perfect blend of art and science, of design
and engineering, of the creative and the
technical. I also love the fact that landscapes
evolve over time, grow and change in
response to their environmental factors,
kind of like people.

What was your first job out of
?
college and why did you choose it?

had something to do with its disappearing.

Who were some important mentors
in your career development?
?

ANNIE: I graduated in 1977 and got a job

ANNIE: At CRJA I was mentored by some

as support staff at a busy architectural firm
that did a lot of developer work, thinking
that if I were going to architecture school I
had best ensure I enjoyed it. I did not. Bill
Pressley provided landscape architectural
services for this firm, however, and that led
me to getting a job at Carol R. Johnson &
Associates, again as support staff.

CHERI: The late, great, Justine Mee Liff was

CHERI: Despite my best attempts, I
graduated from UMass without a job offer,
so I returned to the New Jersey nursery
where I had worked summers through
college. About four weeks after returning
home, I put on the full court press to find a
job as far away from the tri-state area as I
could. In complete desperation I called the
Boston Society of Landscape Architects and
asked about potential openings— anywhere
in New England. Later that day I received a
fax (on a roll of shiny paper that curled up
on itself) with a job description for “Assistant
Project Manager at the Boston Parks and
Recreation Department.” I got the job
and my first assignment was to oversee
construction at Parkman Bandstand on
Boston Common. I remember walking onto
the site to meet the consultant. That was the
day Gene Bolinger and I met: 20 years ago.
He had a lot more hair back then—I’m sure I

people who continue to be important to
me—Marion Pressley and Trudi Hofmann,
most especially.

one of my idols and had a huge influence on
my understanding of how confidence can
impact performance. I watched her make
big things happen throughout the City of
Boston, including getting Mayor Menino
to wear green Chuck Taylors. Fran Beatty,
my immediate boss, took no prisoners
when it came to restoring the Emerald
Necklace. I was fortunate to have two very
strong leaders to follow early in my career.
Today, Gene Bolinger continues to be a very
important mentor and champion for my
professional growth.

Where did you go to graduate school
and what influences did you find there?
ANNIE: I went to the MLA program at the
University of Virginia. I lucked into a terrific
class that was competitive and supportive,
and benefited from having Harry Porter,
Ben Howland, and Warren Byrd as teachers.
I knew that having a master’s degree would
make me more marketable, and the idea

Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook

15