Stephen Cochran, AICP, a Washington, DC native, has several decades of both public-sector and community-based experience in District zoning and planning issues, particularly those affecting Downtown development.  Prior to joining OP in 1999, he worked with the state chapters of the American Planning Association; planning and transportation agencies in Maryland; federal environmental, historic preservation and congressional offices; and a planning consultant firm.  Mr. Cochran has an undergraduate degree from Amherst College and a master's in urban planning from the Johns Hopkins University.