Sam Gordon is a Program Manager on the Land Use and Development team at Smart Growth America. Originally a Graduate Student Intern for SGA, he is now responsible for managing research, technical assistance, and thought leadership programs with SGA’s partner communities and organizations.

Prior to SGA, Sam worked in city government for over five years in New Orleans, Louisiana. As a public servant for one of the country’s most beautiful and fascinating cities, he managed the design and installation of residential green infrastructure projects for income-qualified households in one of the city’s most low-lying flood-prone neighborhoods as part of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority’s Community Adaptation Program. He also served as a Neighborhood Liaison for the City of New Orleans Mayor’s Office, building and strengthening partnerships with neighborhood associations across the city and facilitating public meetings to address community concerns.

Sam is completing his Master’s in Community Planning at the University of Maryland, where he served as the Graduate Student Planning Association President in 2023. He holds a B.A. in Architectural Studies from Hobart College.

You can reach Sam at sgordon [at] smartgrowthamerica [dot] org.