Planning and Design Staff
Spach Trahan, AICP, PP
Ms. Trahan, an Associate Principal with the firm, is a community planning consultant who is driven to achieve the best planning outcomes for the communities in which she works. Ms. Trahan supports municipal clients with a range of services, including reviews of development applications for land use boards, preparation of redevelopment studies and plans, planning and compliance support on affordable housing matters, holding public visioning forums and workshops, and developing forward-looking master plans and reexamination reports. For private clients, Ms. Trahan provides reliable and well-prepared expert planning testimony before land use boards to gain approval of applications ranging from single-family home renovations, to large-lot developments, and novel land uses.
Prior to joining Phillips Preiss in 2019, Ms. Trahan worked throughout the tri-state region on land use planning, environmental analysis, transportation planning, grant writing, and community and economic development. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Richmond and a Master of Science degree in City & Regional Planning from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy at Rutgers University. She is proficient is ArcGIS, the Adobe Creative Suite, and Spanish.
Nikhil Ramachandran, AICP
Mr. Ramachandran joined Phillips Preiss in 2023 with primary experience in land use and transportation. At Phillips Preiss, he supports leadership in numerous projects including preparing master plans, redevelopment plans/studies, and design/visualization concepts. Prior to joining Phillips Preiss, Nikhil gained experience as a land use and transportation engineer, focused on improving traffic and road safety conditions for all users, as well as evaluating mobility and accessibility across multiple transportation modes. Following his engineering experience, Nikhil pursued and received his Master’s degree in City & Regional Planning at Rutgers University, providing him with extensive knowledge of New Jersey and New York through various project and studio work. Nikhil is experienced in Esri ArcGIS and the Adobe Creative Suite.
Larisa Paxton
Ms. Paxton joined Phillips Preiss in 2024 as a planner. She is a recent Master’s degree graduate with an extensive background in urban and regional planning in addition to biological, sustainability and environmental sciences. Ms. Paxton is equipped with technical and interpersonal skills, taking leadership roles, and working independently. She has experience in working in county planning departments, focusing on environmental and sustainability programs. Those programs include the Farmland Preservation, Open Space, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System, New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan and Floodplain Management. Her interests range in expanding experience in planning testimony preparation, design and master planning, and regional and local planning programs.
Accounting/Administrative Staff
Deborah van Renterghem
Ms. van Renterghem has been with Phillips Preiss since 2003, and currently provides the firm with business management, accounting, marketing and administrative support. Ms. van Renterghem also is an accomplished opera singer who has performed in professional productions throughout the United States and Europe.