Public Health & Community Development

Planning Division

Staff

Greg Plucker, Deputy Director of Planning (530) 842-8203
Greg was appointed as Deputy Director of Planning in May of 2009.  Greg's formal training includes a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Planning from Humboldt State University and a Master's of Urban and Regional Planning from San Jose State University.  This diverse educational background is matched by his professional experience of more than 23 years; including nearly 17 years as a public sector planner and six years in the private sector as a planner and land development manager.  This unique combination of experience has provided insights as to how to effectively meet the challenges of public sector planning while implementing practical solutions to provide responsive customer service.

Richard Tinsman, Senior Planner (530) 842-8206
Following seven years of resource management at a coastal research reserve in Sonoma County, Richard (or Rico as he is better known) migrated north to Siskiyou County to pursue the many world-class fly fishing opportunities that our region is famous for. A graduate of Emory University with a B.S. in Human & Natural Ecology, Rico promptly joined forces with a land use consulting firm located in Mount Shasta. He then spent the next seven years serving as city planner for a number of cities in Siskiyou County while also drafting CEQA and NEPA documents for a diverse array of projects throughout the State. Rico’s solution-oriented focus and sincere enthusiasm for seeing projects brought to fruition is complimented by his deep appreciation for the County’s many natural splendors. He brings with him a positive can-do attitude that is readily apparent in each of his endeavors.

Christy Cummings Dawson, Associate Planner (530) 842-8205
Born and raised in Siskiyou County, Christy was happy to return home for good after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UC Davis and an MBA from CSU, Chico.  She has public sector experience at the federal, state, and local level that includes wildland fire protection, higher education, and grant management, as well as private sector experience in economic development.  Her varied experience brings with it a unique perspective and a willingness to take on challenges and assist the local community.


Vurl Trytten, Clerk to the Planning Commission (530) 842-8201
Vurl, originally from Wisconsin, gained more than 20 years of experience as a legal secretary and legal assistant while working in the Sonoma County Counsel's Office.  After retiring from Sonoma County in 2006, she relocated to Siskiyou County in order to fulfill a dream to live in Siskiyou County where she had been vacationing for years.  In 2006, she accepted a position in the Planning Department where she is able to leverage her considerable knowledge of land use planning gained from her work at Sonoma County.  While she considers herself fortunate to be working and living in her favorite County in California, the staff of the Planning Division are the lucky ones to have someone of her experience, dedication, and organization keeping us all on task.

Pam Piemme, Planning Technician (530) 841-2151
With her energy and youthful enthusiasm, it is hard to tell that Pam has nearly 27 years of experience in the development industry and planning environment.  This includes 22 years of experience with a local private sector civil engineering-land surveying company which is coupled with the last 5 years working for the County's Environmental Health and Planning Divisions.  This combination of private sector and public experience has given Pam a deep understanding of what it's like to stand on either side of the counter.  In her current duties, Pam is the primary intake person for planning applications submitted at the County's permit center. Pam also provides much needed support to the other Planning staff.  Rounding out her duties, Pam provides utility services for the Building and Environmental Health Divisions, as well as auxiliary backup to the Public Health Division staff.