Columbus, Ohio – March 1, 2026
EDGE is proud to announce the elevation of three leaders to Principal: Doug Boyer, ASLA, PLA; Drew Russell, PLA; and Carolyn Griffiths. Based in EDGE’s Columbus office and serving clients across the Midwest and beyond, Doug, Drew, and Carolyn reflect the firm’s continued momentum, bringing deep technical expertise, trusted client leadership, and operational strength. Their elevation reinforces EDGE’s investment in leaders who pair design excellence with disciplined delivery, strengthening how we serve clients and support communities through a studio built for sustainable growth.
Doug Boyer, ASLA, PLA, Principal
“As landscape architects, we have the insight necessary to balance ecology, economics, engineering, and psychology in our work. That perspective uniquely positions us to guide the design and implementation of large, complex projects. As a principal, my goal is to lead from the front on meaningful, high-impact work, and to coach the next generation of EDGE to actively collaborate, design with purpose, and dream big.”
Doug Boyer, EDGE Principal
Since joining EDGE in 2013, Doug Boyer has become an integral part of EDGE’s leadership, guiding transformative work that reflects the firm’s values and vision. He is known for leading complex, multi-year master planning efforts from vision through implementation, assembling strong consultant teams and collaborating closely with diverse client groups. His work in parks, public realm, and civic planning is deeply rooted in the communities he serves. Doug’s approach begins with listening, distilling what matters most to stakeholders and translating public input into thoughtful, enduring places that communities use, maintain, and take pride in.
Doug’s portfolio includes award-winning park work such as West Franklinton Parks (OPRA Award of Excellence) and Warner Woods Park (Columbus Business First 2025 Building Columbus Awards), and Fallen Timbers Battlefield (OPRA Award of Excellence). His planning and placemaking work include projects such as Black Fork Commons, Fancyburg Park, and the transformation of the Mansfield Main Street project. Doug’s trail and multi-modal corridor experience includes efforts such as Linden Green Line and the Big Walnut Trail. Across these initiatives, he is valued for building consensus, assembling the right teams, and advancing ideas into implementable designs that deliver long-term social, environmental, and economic benefit.
Doug also plays an active role in advancing the profession through advocacy and service. He serves on ASLA’s Government Affairs Advisory Committee and is currently President of the Ohio Chapter of ASLA, following prior leadership roles as Vice President of Legislative Affairs and Public Relations Representative. Doug holds a Master of Arts in Environmental Design and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University, where he served as President of the ASLA student chapter. Doug has been a licensed Landscape Architect in Ohio since 2019.
Drew Russell, PLA, Principal
“I feel a deep responsibility to the communities we serve, because our work shapes how people experience their lives, at home, at work, and the spaces in between. I hope to keep advancing housing and job growth across our region while creating outdoor places that energize and connect people. As Principal, my focus is on strengthening client partnerships and mentoring our team so we continue raising the standard for resilient, enduring places.”
Drew Russell, EDGE Principal
Since joining EDGE in 2015, Drew Russell has become a trusted leader for clients navigating complex planning and redevelopment projects. He is recognized for his ability to align stakeholders, navigate regulatory processes, and guide projects from early visioning through approvals and construction. Drew helps communities grow with intention, shaping complete neighborhoods with human-scaled streets, connected blocks, and integrated public spaces. His work blends development strategy with context-driven design, creating frameworks for sustainable growth in rapidly expanding communities.
Across his career, Drew has assisted in the development of thousands of residential units across Ohio, supported community efforts to attract new jobs, and designed outdoor recreational spaces that enrich daily life. His portfolio includes neighborhood and mixed-use work such as Evans Farm, Alton Place, and Westar Place, along with major recreation and wellness investments such as the Hilliard Athletic Complex, Jennings Sports Park, and Owl’s Nest Resort. A consistent theme in his work is finding the overlap between a client’s goals and the needs of the broader community, then translating that shared vision into deliverable plans and built outcomes.
Drew earned his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from The Ohio State University’s Knowlton School of Architecture, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and is a licensed Professional Landscape Architect in Ohio (2019). He regularly stays engaged with regional partners and industry groups through events and programs hosted by organizations such as ULI, MORPC, and One Columbus.
Carolyn Griffiths, Principal
“Over the course of my 20-plus years at EDGE, I’ve seen meaningful growth and positive change, and I’m always excited for what’s next. As business continues to evolve, clear and timely information matters. My focus is helping our teams make data-informed decisions with confidence. I’m committed to continuously improving our tools and processes, and to identifying new solutions that strengthen the systems we rely on every day.”
Carolyn Griffiths, EDGE Principal
A valued leader at EDGE since 2004, Carolyn Griffiths has helped shape EDGE from the inside out—managing business practices across all office locations, overseeing accounting, administration, and systems that keep the firm running efficiently. She is known for translating complex information into practical insight that supports leadership decision-making and helps project teams stay aligned.
As the firm and industry continue to evolve, Carolyn brings a continuous-improvement mindset to EDGE’s operations, regularly reviewing processes, testing new solutions, and strengthening the tools that help teams work smarter. Her analytical approach, and her love of a well-built spreadsheet, help make data easier to understand and decisions easier to support.
Carolyn is a notary public in the state of Ohio and an active member of the Deltek Ajera Users Association, a group dedicated to learning and supporting one of the leading A/E project management and financial software systems in the industry. Carolyn holds an associate degree in Applied Business in Advertising from The Modern College of Design. She is active in the community through Scouts of America, assisting with event coordination and fundraising, and involved with many other volunteer opportunities including organizing drives to support local food pantries. She previously served on the Finance Committee for Chamber Music Columbus and local troop leader for Girl Scouts.
Growth Powered by Leadership
“Elevating Doug, Drew, and Carolyn to Principal reflects the vision and leadership they already bring to our firm. Their expertise spans disciplines, markets, and methodologies, and together their talent strengthens our practice. It’s essential to have principals who not only excel in design but embody our values. Each of them exemplifies the style of leadership we want to define the next era of EDGE. We are proud of them, and confident in what they will build in the years ahead.”
Ryan Pearson, EDGE President
This next generation of Principals reflects how EDGE builds capacity, by cultivating talent and empowering leaders who own outcomes. In their new roles, Doug, Drew, and Carolyn will help guide strategic initiatives, strengthen client relationships, mentor rising professionals, and reinforce the collaboration required to execute complex work at a high level.
About EDGE
Since 2003, EDGE has helped emerging cities evolve into tomorrow’s most desirable markets. Our work forms the connective tissue between people and architecture, transforming communities from simply places to work into multifaceted cultural hubs that attract and retain residents, employees, students, athletes, and visitors. With an integrated studio of 30+ landscape architects, planners, and development consultants, we are intentionally sized to provide a boutique-level of service.
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