Conservation Districts, Easements, Zoning and Other Tools for Historic Preservation

WillCook
is a nationally recognized attorney, scholar, and law professor with a successful record for protecting National Historic Landmarks, significant landscapes, historic viewsheds, and traditional cultural properties. His practice focuses on balancing historic preservation with economic development so that historic preservation and cultural heritage law is more efficient, effective, and predictable. Will has studied American fine and decorative arts at the graduate level and helped develop standards regarding the direct care of collections and institutional deaccessioning practices. He lectures regularly to national audiences.

Since March 2020, Katie McLaughlin Friddle has served as the Principal Planner for Current Planning and Urban Design for the City of Oklahoma City Planning Department, overseeing current planning functions, six design review districts, and the city’s historic preservation program. Prior to assuming this role, Katie served as the City’s Preservation Officer and CLG Coordinator. Prior to her time with the City, Katie worked for the City of Boston’s preservation office and then served as the Executive Director of Preservation Oklahoma, a statewide non-profit preservation advocacy organization.

A native Oklahoman, Katie holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Oklahoma and a Master’s degree in Historic Preservation from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation. Katie completed her AICP certification in 2016. In 2021, Katie was appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC).

Briana Paxton is a historic preservation professional, housing advocate, and small-scale developer based in Savannah, GA. For her day job, she works remotely as a policy analyst for Preservation Maryland where she actively researches, develops, and advocates for policy innovations and regulatory systems that promote equitable and sustainable development. She previously worked in the private sector as a consultant with Ethos Preservation and PlaceEconomics. Briana serves as Chairwoman of Preservation Action, leading national efforts to secure sound federal preservation policy and is a former board member for the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions. She holds a Master’s in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s from the College of William and Mary.

As a principal and member of the executive team, Antonin Robert leads GBX Group’s community relations. Focusing on federal, state and local programs that are indispensable to the company’s real estate investments, Antonin works with the preservation community, development partners and other stakeholders to ensure continued support for the preservation and rehabilitation space.
Antonin developed and led GBX’s real estate data and analysis team, which focuses on capturing industry financials and economic trends to support the company’s investments. Demonstrating the economic impact of GBX’s projects has proven critical to the company’s advocacy initiatives. Building on the community support around the country helps the company identify investments and growth opportunities.
Antonin has over 25 years of experience in executive, finance, operations and marketing management. His fluency in five languages has helped his career in a number of international positions.
A frequent speaker at industry events on topics related to historic preservation and its impact on economic development, Antonin serves on various boards related to community development, business improvement districts, and historic preservation. He works closely with numerous historic preservation advocacy groups around the country.

As the Deputy Historic Preservation Officer with the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation, Cory has led the development and adoption of historic design guidelines, new zoning overlay districts, and improvements to the local development code and processes related to the treatment of historic properties. One of his missions is to expand the narrative of what historic preservation offers beyond regulatory review, seeking ways to integrate building reuse principles into local policy surrounding affordable housing, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Cory is on the Board of Directors for NAPC.