Firm History

Orion Planning + Design (OPD), originally founded as the Orion Planning Group (OPG), was established in 2011 out of a shared vision to provide exceptional, relationship-driven planning services to communities. The firm's origins trace back to late 2010, when Graham Billingsley sent an email inquiring if a group of seasoned planning professionals wanted to join forces. At the time, the economic recession had made solo consulting difficult, and several of the recipients were either preparing for or had recently retired from distinguished public sector careers.

What united this group was not just their professional expertise, but a deep mutual respect and friendship forged through their leadership roles in the American Planning Association (APA). The founding partners of Orion represented an extraordinary concentration of professional leadership: among them were two APA Presidents, two American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Presidents, multiple national board members, State Chapter presidents, and individuals who had served in a host of other critical service positions within the profession. This shared commitment to the advancement of planning principles formed the bedrock of the new firm.

Recognizing the value of their collective experience, six founding partners—Carol A. Rhea, Joanne E. Garnett, Robert E. Blanchard, Cynthia L. Hoyle, Graham S. Billingsley, and Robert L. Barber—came together to form the Orion Planning Group. The partners brought nearly 150 years of combined planning experience, predominantly gained from working directly for state, regional, and local governments. They shared a common philosophy: a commitment to public involvement, the power of teamwork, inclusionary planning, and the consistent use of sound planning principles.

From its inception, Orion embraced an innovative and unique model of decentralized operations. Rather than centralizing in a single corporate headquarters, the firm established a network of offices across the country, including locations in Colorado, Illinois, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Wyoming. This decentralized approach allowed the partners to remain deeply connected to diverse regional contexts while collaborating seamlessly on national and international projects. It fostered a culture of flexibility and responsiveness, enabling the firm to assemble tailored teams of experts for each unique community challenge, regardless of geographic boundaries.

Despite launching during one of the most challenging economic periods since the Great Depression, the firm quickly found success. By the end of its first year, OPG had exceeded its expectations, securing diverse projects across multiple states, including comprehensive plans, downtown master plans, and development review processes. The firm's early success validated its core premise: clients valued meaningful relationships with the principals of the firm and the assurance that those same individuals were taking personal responsibility for the work produced.

Over the years, the firm continued to grow and evolve, expanding its geographic footprint and its range of services. The team welcomed new partners with specialized expertise, such as Oliver Seabolt, who brought extensive experience in landscape architecture and urban design, and Allison Mouch, whose background focused on comprehensive planning and public engagement. This expansion of talent allowed the firm to tackle increasingly complex and multifaceted projects.

Throughout its history, Orion has maintained a robust national and international practice. The firm has successfully completed over 120 projects, ranging from small-town comprehensive plans to complex regulatory updates for major federal facilities like the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Their work has spanned from Hawaii to Georgia, and their international engagements have included strategic planning and resource development in places like Peru. This extensive portfolio reflects the firm's ability to adapt its expertise to a wide array of cultural, environmental, and economic contexts. The excellence of Orion's work has been consistently recognized by the profession. The firm has garnered numerous awards for its innovative planning and design solutions

As the firm expanded its focus to encompass both planning and design, it rebranded as Orion Planning + Design (OPD). and moved its state of registration to Montana.

Today, Orion Planning + Design continues to operate as a multi-disciplined firm specializing in the creation of dynamic, inclusive, and resilient communities. Building on the legacy of its founders, OPD remains dedicated to helping communities thrive through thoughtful planning, innovative design, progressive engineering, and the active implementation of a collective vision. The firm's enduring success is a testament to the enduring power of the relationships, expertise, and shared values that brought its founders together over a decade ago.