Kelly Cook, PLA, ASLA is a Founding Partner and Principal of KDC Associates, an environmental planning and landscape architecture firm established in 1994 and based in Midland, Texas.

 

Over the past three decades, Kelly has led the firm’s work on public, institutional, and environmental projects across Texas, the Southwest, and beyond, with representative projects in more than 165 Texas counties, seven additional states, and international markets.

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Under Kelly’s leadership, KDC Associates has completed design work for more than 75 major university projects and over 100 public parks, shaping civic spaces that balance functionality, stewardship, and long-term community value. A recognized voice in water-conscious planning, Kelly is a leading advocate for reshaping how communities approach water use in both public and private landscapes. He has spoken extensively on water conservation at the Texas Municipal League and other local, state, and national forums.

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In 2021, Kelly was named a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in recognition of his contributions to the field of landscape architecture and environmental planning.

Jonathon Pruessner, PLA, ASLA, serves as Director of Planning at KDC Associates and is based in the firm’s Midland–Odessa office. With a strong background in large-scale planning and site development, Jonathon guides projects from early analysis through implementation, emphasizing clarity, coordination, and long-term site performance.

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Jonathon brings more than two decades of professional experience, including a decade practicing in southern Arizona, where he developed deep expertise in xeric design and the materials and methods required to create successful landscapes in arid environments.

 

A licensed landscape architect and certified irrigation designer, he has led the design of some of the largest and most extensive irrigation systems in Texas. His work reflects a thorough understanding of water resource management and supports KDC’s commitment to environmentally responsive, technically sound, and practical design solutions across the Southwest.

Eric Bernard, PLA, ASLA, is an award-winning landscape architect and serves as Director of Planning at KDC Associates. His work focuses on regenerative eco-hydro planning, integrating advanced GIS, BIM, and geospatial technologies to inform resilient, systems-based design solutions across multiple scales.

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Eric brings a rare combination of professional practice and academic leadership. He has held senior academic roles at major universities, including serving as Chair of Landscape Architecture at Texas Tech University, where his teaching and research emphasized holistic ecological planning, GeoDesign, and the integration of GIS, LiDAR, and spatial analytics into real-world planning challenges. He has also contributed to nationally influential initiatives such as ParkServe, a platform designed to improve access to urban parks across the United States.

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Recognized by the American Society of Landscape Architects and ESRI for his contributions to ecology, sustainability, and geospatial design, Eric routinely collaborates across disciplines and has mentored numerous graduate students entering the profession. He is CLARB certified and brings a deeply analytical, future-focused perspective to KDC’s planning and environmental work.

Elizabeth Resch supports KDC Associates through marketing, brand strategy, and long-range strategic development. Having grown up around the firm and worked alongside its leadership from an early age, she brings a deep understanding of KDC’s history, culture, and client relationships, as well as firsthand familiarity with the firm’s project types, processes, and public-sector work.

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Her role focuses on strengthening KDC’s external presence, guiding brand alignment across platforms, supporting proposal and communications strategy, and serving as a strategic sounding board as the firm evolves.

 

With a background in creative direction, business development, and community-facing work, Elizabeth helps translate KDC’s technical expertise and legacy into clear, thoughtful communication that supports both public and private initiatives. 

Patrick Resch, PMP, supports the operational growth of KDC Associates by serving as a key connector across the firm’s expanding footprint. As the business scales across multiple locations, Patrick works closely with leadership and project teams to ensure clear communication, coordination, and consistency in execution.

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With a background in scaling growing organizations, he brings a systems-focused approach to process development, operational alignment, and day-to-day execution—helping ensure KDC continues to grow thoughtfully while maintaining its standards for quality and collaboration.

Ruben Vasquez, ASLA, is a Design Associate at KDC Associates, where he serves as a creative force and multimedia design developer supporting projects across all phases of development. In addition to his design work, Ruben contributes to project management and coordination, helping ensure ideas are carried through clearly from concept to completion.

 

Known for his uncompromising work ethic and attention to detail, Ruben has built a strong reputation for taking exceptional care of clients throughout a project’s lifespan. His ability to balance creative problem-solving with dependable execution makes him a valuable asset to both the design team and the clients KDC serves.

Brad Evans, ASLA, is a Design Associate at KDC Associates based in the firm’s Lubbock office. Brad contributes strong design and CAD expertise across a wide range of projects, supporting the firm’s ability to meet schedules, coordinate efficiently, and deliver clear, well-resolved design documents.

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In addition to his technical skills, Brad interfaces with a variety of digital and media tools to help communicate project intent to clients and project teams. His reliability, attention to detail, and collaborative approach make him an important part of KDC’s design and production efforts.