Dr. Cothrum serves as CEO of Masterplan Consultants and USA Engineers. He joined Masterplan in 2003 as a consultant supporting hundreds of business owners and municipalities prior to assuming his current role in 2009. Throughout his career, Dr. Cothrum has worked on numerous politically charged and technically difficult cases. He directed efforts on Rosewood Court and many types of multi-family projects, and he’s an expert on self-storage usage, so much so that he’s presented at the International Self-Storage Conference twice. His broad expertise spans commercial real estate, municipal government, and expert witness roles, and he regularly consults with clients on requirements for zoning, variances, economic incentives, and community engagement concerning land use, zoning, and new municipal practices. Dr. Cothrum volunteers on the City of University Park Public Works Advisory Committee, and on the Highland Park Education Foundation. He’s a contributing columnist for The Dallas Morning News. In 2024, his piece “Celebrate today knowing the American Revolution is ongoing” received the George Washington Honor Medal. Areas of Expertise: Zoning, Entitlements, Expert Witness Testimony, Negotiation & Advocacy, Community Outreach & Engagement, Strategic Solutions Fun Fact: He officiated high school and college basketball for twenty seasons and was ultimately inducted into the Texas Association of Sports Officials Hall of Fame.

As Operations Director at USA Engineers and Masterplan Consultants, Nicolle leads firmwide management and operations to ensure efficient, high-quality client outcomes. Known for building high-performing teams, she combines strategic oversight with a hands-on approach to collaboration and execution. A Texas Tech graduate with a B.A. in marketing and management, Nicolle previously led marketing for a North American logistics firm before transitioning to the AEC industry in 2016, where she has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies. An active member of the Dallas and Fort Worth Regional Chambers and a board member of AAF Fort Worth, Nicolle is passionate about community engagement. Off the clock, she’s a devoted coffee enthusiast often found exploring local shops with her husband, Chad. Areas of Expertise: Strategic Planning, Operational Effectiveness, Meeting Facilitation, Public Relations Fun Fact: She had a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in her honor.