he team at JD White, a division of BERGER/ABAM Engineers Inc., (JDW) provides land use planning, natural resources, and public involvement consulting services from offices in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. JDW has provided professional services throughout the Pacific Northwest since 1976, and we have developed a thorough understanding of what affects our clients' interest-—from policies, regulations, and growth management issues to assisting the public's understanding of client projects.

Our creative, integrated, and comprehensive approach grows out of our firm's unique blend of professional disciplines. We know that problem solving is essential to a successful project so JDW hires professionals who find solutions to reaching client goals. When combined with the enthusiasm, responsiveness, and creativity our professionals bring to each project, the net result is outstanding value and viable solutions.

JD White can help with your next project:

• Land Use Planning services from planning to permits
• Natural Resources evaluation and management capabilities
• Public Involvement, facilitiation, media management and design expertise

The History of JD White

John White founded this firm in 1976 as Brookside Enterprises, a name chosen, in part, for its somewhat generic sound. John wasn't sure exactly what kinds of services were to be provided. During that first year, John provided land planning consulting, graphic design and a little photography. He even designed an addition to a friend's house. His first clients included the City of Vancouver (forming and managing the South Main Business Development Association) and the Port of Vancouver (recreating their "comprehensive scheme" from archived records dating to 1912).

After that year spent working out of an office in his attic, John moved to the second story of a building at 6th and Main in downtown Vancouver. In 1977, the neighborhood may not have been an inviting environment, but it clearly represented the challenge of downtown revitalization that John sought to make part of the company's business.

About this time, John changed the name of the firm to The White Company. When he went to file as a corporation, he discovered there was already a Washington corporation by that name, so he added the JD so as to be one of a kind.

In 1985, John's wife D'Alene joined the firm and served as the company's financial officer and office manager until her retirement in 1995. Also in 1985, the company moved to a renovated building at 8th and Main. While technically located in the building's basement, firm members euphemistically referred to the office as on the garden level.

In 1985 as well, John hired the firm's first ecologist and initiated a wetland and natural resources practice. During the late 80s and early 90s, the company began to take today's familiar shape. The firm began representing many private developers in development applications with local jurisdictions. As part of that practice, the firm routinely reached out to neighborhoods in an effort to facilitate these projects.

Today, the level of sophistication both in staff and facilities is a tremendous source of pride to all of us at JDW. The types of clients and projects the firm is now involved with were once only pipe dreams. The best part is that it will only get better from here.