Our Team

Alex joined Destination by Design in 2013. As the Director of Design, Alex enjoys bringing our team’s best ideas into reality through the practice of Landscape Architecture. His ideal project employs the entire interdisciplinary team at DbD to discover and leverage a community’s unique assets. The cross-pollination of planning, design, engineering, and communication has led to innovative place-based designs throughout the southeast, including master plans, streetscape design, urban infill, parks, greenways, and one-of-a-kind signage + wayfinding packages. On a good day, Alex dreams big of creating exceptional places, and on a great day, he lives it – building a family farm in the summer, snowboarding in the winter, and as a devoted father year-round.

Carrie brings more than 20 years of experience in engineering and project leadership to Destination by Design. After earning her PhD in Environmental Engineering from The University of Florida, Carrie founded and grew an environmental consulting business in the High Country before joining Destination by Design. Carrie is passionate about creating connections between community and the natural environment while protecting the resources that make that space special. Outside of work, Carrie enjoys playing tennis, hiking and chasing her three boys around the High Country.

Jason leads the Destination by Design Engineering team and has more than fifteen years of experience as a civil engineer. He has worked extensively in both the public and private realms, including site engineering for downtown streetscapes, greenways, public parks and an array of private development throughout the southeast.

Case Neal is a Landscape Architect with 20 years of experience designing and creating outdoor spaces. From working in multi-disciplinary firms to teaching at a community college and leading his own design-build practice, his experience includes designing residential landscapes, parks & recreation facilities, urban and commercial properties, and educational institutions. Influenced by his construction experience, Case seeks to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing; anchored by the belief that, in order for outdoor spaces to be successful, they must be dynamic – designed to change and evolve with time. When he’s not designing, you can find Case looking for waterfalls with his wife and six daughters.

Ed joined Destination by Design after leaving a career working within the Triangle region of North Carolina. He has worked on a wide range of public and private projects including urban infill, mixed-use, multi-family residential, adaptive reuse, master planning, multimodal transportation, greenways, and parks. Ed enjoys projects that create a sense of place and community pride.

For more than a decade, Jonathan has managed creative and structural projects across a wealth of industries, molding him into an effective and creative problem solver. He especially enjoys working on environmental projects. Jonathan’s passion is ‘Aloha Āina’, which means respect for the land. He loves getting out and exploring new places and hearing how communities are finding creative ways to co-exist with their environments. When he’s not in the office, you can find Jonathan with his family exploring trails, skateboarding, surfing, bouldering or just soaking in the things only nature can provide.

Pooja began her journey in Industrial/product design after finishing her Bachelors in Architecture. She then pursued her Masters in Industrial design at one of the leading design institutes – NID, Ahmedabad, India. She has worked in multiple design firms gaining experience in a variety of design disciplines such as Wayfinding, Customer Experience, Furniture, Interior, retail and Research design. Outside of work she enjoys painting, dancing, and gardening. Pooja is a self proclaimed “plant lady” who wishes to have her own sanctuary one day.

Ivan holds a Bachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. During his undergraduate studies, he was recognized as a 2023 Landscape Architecture Foundation Olmstead Scholar. Growing up in Western North Carolina inspired him to help transform rural communities through the practice of Landscape Architecture. When not in the office, Ivan likes to spend time outdoors and can be found fishing or kayaking in nearby lakes.

Matt holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from NC State University, and has 10+ years of experience in 3D modeling and design. His background in Civil Site engineering and passion for the outdoors led him to Destination by Design. Additionally, he has helped secure numerous federal and state grants to fund various projects. Outside of work, Matt can usually be found outdoors with his wife and two daughters, or fly fishing.

Raised in Appalachia, Holly attended Virginia Tech and then moved to the NC Triangle region to build her career in Landscape Architecture. She has collaborated on projects ranging from small urban residential properties to large master-planned parks and communities. Her adventures in traveling, nature photography, and outdoor recreation fuel her desire to add an ecological lens to her design work – creating opportunities to connect people with nature, and build community through celebration of the outdoors.

Catharine has a diverse background in environmental consulting and community engagement. A lifelong resident of the High Country, she has a deep appreciation for outdoor spaces that make adventures accessible to everyone.