2026 Arthur Kunz Memorial Scholarship Breakfast

On June 5, 2026 the APA Long Island Section will hold their annual Arthur Kunz Memorial Scholarship Breakfast at the Sustainability Institute at Molloy University at 1100 Broadway, Amityville. 

This year, we are pleased to welcome Cara Longworth, VP, Long Island Regional Director for Empire State Development as our Keynote Speaker.  The Regional Economic Development Councils, established 16 years ago, have proven that regional planning is essential for economic development success.  Cara will discuss how that process has led to transformative projects across the region. In addition, Dawn Thomas, Executive Director of the Town of Riverhead Community Development Agency, will give a presentation on economic development initiatives in Riverhead. 

Each year the LI Section offers the Arthur Kunz Scholarship to new planners for funds to attend the American Planning Association National Conference. In the spirit of Arthur Kunz, each recipient will give a presentation to share their experiences during a mobile workshop they attended.  

The 2026 Arthur Kunz Scholarship recipients are:

• Justin Ames, AICP, LEED AP O+M, Environmental Planner with Nelson, Pope & Voorhis, LLC

• Rachel A. Bruce, Revitalization Specialist with the New York State Department of State

• Darvin Fuentes, Assistant Planner with the City of Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Planning

• Brandon Gimpelman, MPA, Project Manager with Empire State Development’s Long Island Regional Office

Thank you to the Sustainability Institute at Molloy University, the New York Community Trust, and our event sponsors IMEG, VHB, Heatherwood, BJH Advisors, H2M, Cleary Consulting, Vision Long Island, GZA, BFJ Planning, and Nelson Pope Voorhis!