Plan NH is proud to announce Randy Knowles as the inaugural recipient of the Plan NH Champion Award, a new recognition established in 2026 to honor individuals and organizations whose extraordinary commitment, advocacy, and generosity strengthen Plan NH’s mission and help create healthier, more vibrant communities across New Hampshire.
Presented for the first time at the Plan NH Awards Evening on June 18, 2026, the Champion Award recognizes those whose contributions often take place behind the scenes but have a lasting impact on the organization, its programs, and the communities it serves. Recipients may include dedicated volunteers, donors, partners, firms, or advocates who consistently go above and beyond in support of Plan NH’s work.
“There could be no more fitting first recipient than Randy Knowles,” said Tiffany Tononi McNamara, Executive Director of Plan NH. “For nearly three decades, Randy has shared his time, talent, creativity, and leadership with communities throughout New Hampshire and with Plan NH. His contributions embody the very spirit of this award.”
Randy began his professional career in 1981 and went on to become a licensed landscape architect, establish his own firm, and later serve as Vice President of Planning at The Dubay Group. Throughout his career, he has been a passionate advocate for the landscape architecture profession, helping secure licensure for landscape architects in New Hampshire and representing the state on the American Society of Landscape Architects Board of Trustees.
His impact on Plan NH began in 1998 when he joined his first Community Design Charrette team in Farmington. Since then, Randy has volunteered on nearly two dozen charrettes, helping communities across the state envision stronger futures through collaborative planning and design.
Known for his ability to listen carefully and translate community aspirations into compelling visual concepts, Randy’s hand-drawn illustrations have become a hallmark of many Plan NH charrettes. His sketches and conceptual designs help residents, local leaders, and stakeholders see the possibilities for their communities and have played an important role in shaping planning efforts throughout New Hampshire.
Over the years, Randy has served Plan NH in many capacities, including as a volunteer, committee member, Board member, mentor, and charrette team leader. His commitment remains as strong as ever. In 2026 alone, he volunteered to serve on three separate Community Design Charrette teams.
When asked about Randy’s impact, colleagues and fellow volunteers consistently described him as talented, dependable, generous, humble, and kind. One colleague called him “one of New Hampshire’s hidden treasures,” while another noted that he is “a humble man, unflappable, with a great sense of humor and a man we can always count on.”
Randy recently reflected on Plan NH’s work, stating, “Plan NH and its volunteer members should take immense pride in the impact their advocacy efforts have had on New Hampshire communities and the built environment.”
That belief in the power of collaboration and community service has defined Randy’s own contributions for nearly 30 years.
“New Hampshire is a better place because of Randy,” said one fellow landscape architect.
Through his dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to service, Randy Knowles exemplifies the values that the Plan NH Champion Award was created to recognize.
About the Plan NH Champion Award
The Plan NH Champion Award celebrates individuals and organizations whose extraordinary commitment, advocacy, and generosity strengthen Plan NH’s mission to foster excellence in planning, design, and development. The award recognizes those who help make Plan NH’s work possible through volunteer service, leadership, philanthropy, partnership, and advocacy in support of stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient New Hampshire communities.