Torey Carter-Conneen is the chief executive officer for the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), which is a community of nearly 15,000 members whose mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education and fellowship. He has more than 25 years of experience and expertise in strategic organizational development, tactical implementation, political and civic engagement, financial stewardship and administrative leadership.

Carter-Conneen will present the virtual lecture "Change Grows Here: ASLA National Programs and Priorities" at 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, as part of the spring lecture series in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design.

The Fay Jones School's spring lecture series is presented in collaboration with Places Journal, an internationally respected online journal of architecture, landscape architecture and urbanism, and the University of Arkansas Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The series is also made possible in part by a gift from Ken and Liz Allen of Fayetteville, part of an overall set of commitments the Allens have made to the school's programs and initiatives in diversity, equity and inclusion.

This lecture is also part of the Landscape Architecture Professional Speaker Series, which is a partnership between the Department of Landscape Architecture and the ASLA Student Chapter. The series was started in fall 2018 and has had 12 speakers so far, including ASLA presidents, graduates of the U of A landscape architecture program, and landscape architects from nationally prominent firms highlighting their work on campus and throughout northwest Arkansas. The intent of the program is to present the broad spectrum of impactful landscape architecture work, thereby igniting students’ professional passions and illuminating possible career opportunities. 

Registration for the lecture is available on Zoom.

Carter-Conneen has a proven track record as an innovator and thought leader in the association world, with an aptitude for pioneering strategies to shape organizational priorities, ensure financial stability, and invigorate member recruitment and retention programs.

He has served in executive leadership roles for companies ranging in size from $7 million to $750 million in annual revenues and a staff of nearly 400. Prior to joining ASLA, Carter-Conneen served as chief operating officer of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Prior to that, he was the senior vice president and chief financial officer for the Center for American Progress; chief operating officer and later acting president and chief executive officer at the LGBTQ Victory Fund and Institute; divisional controller of MV Transportation, a privately held North American transportation management corporation; and an auditor at a certified public accountant firm.

He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland Global Campus with a concentration on global business management and emerging markets. He also holds degrees in economics and accounting from George Mason University.

Carter-Conneen is a volunteer member of the American Society of Association Executives’ Executive Management Professional Advisory Council and sits on the executive committee of the board for Shepherd’s Table, a community organization in Silver Spring, Maryland, providing food and support to people most in need. He also serves on the board of the American Immigration Council.

He and his husband, Mike, are fathers to two children, Drew and Aiden.

The school is pursuing continuing education credits for this lecture through the American Institute of Architects and the American Society of Landscape Architects.

This virtual lecture is open to the public. For details on watching the lecture, please visit the Fay Jones School's lecture page.

For more information, contact 479-575-4704.