Laura was born and raised in West Virginia, growing up in the small town of Ravenswood in Jackson County. She attended West Virginia University where she obtained her degree in Landscape Architecture. She worked in the Washington metro area for a decade before returning home to West Virginia. She has served in a variety of roles for both private firms and government agencies and has led Planning Departments and Landscape Architecture Practices in Virginia and West Virginia. In total she has more than forty years’ experience in an array of planning and design-related positions. In 2018 she began Laura Cox Planning and Design and from the beginning Grant Writing has been the cornerstone service of her business. She and her associates apply for and administer a variety of grants for her many clients. She also creates and updates land use ordinances and has designed many public spaces.
Winfield, WV
(304) 356-6153
Open : Mon-Fri 08:00 – 5:00
ABOUT US
LCPD WAS FOUNDED in 2018 BY
LAURA COX
Founder, CEO, Landscape Architect
EXPERIENCE
Why Choose Us?
Women owned and OPERATED
LCPD team
Cheryl Thomas
Research Assistant, Accounts and Marketing Representative
Cheryl Thomas is a transplant from up and down the east coast and made her home in WV in 1982. She graduated from Nitro High School and has a multi-faceted education in Jewelry design, childhood development, and Marketing; and chose a 30+ year medical career to spend quality time with her family. A busy military spouse, mother, and grandmother; and her love of her adopted city of St Albans and state of WV led her to pursue councilperson position. While working full time, was elected three times to her council position and in doing so was chairperson and sat on many Committees. Research was always a passion and she found ways of using that research to benefit others. She is contracted with Laura Cox Planning and Design to use her skills in billing, scheduling, marketing, and research.
Tracy Dillon
Grant Writer, Research and Ordinance Code Writer
Tracy Dillon is a home grown native of St Albans, West Virginia and is a graduate of St Albans High School. She is also credited with legal assisting in criminal and civil legal assisting from Marshall University. Tracy used her education for the betterment of the City of St Albans and retired with thirty-two years in 2020 as the St Albans Building Dept. Director, Property Maintenance Code official/Inspector, Zoning Officer, Flood Plain Manager, Municipal Court Clerk, Police/Fire Dispatch and 911 Addressing Coordinator. Tracy was instrumental in building the Bad Building Initiative that brought to light blighted homes in the St Albans area and was able to witness her work come to fruition as several structures were demolished. After her retirement with the City of St Albans, the transition to Grant Writer and Research Investigator is an integral part of what makes Laura Cox Planning and Design achieve all the goals our group has set.
Barbara Hughes
Municipal Finance, Grant Administration, & Accounting
Barbara is a West Virginia native who has lived most of her life in St. Albans and is a graduate of St. Albans High School. With a strong background in municipal budgeting, accounting, and grant administration, she has joined Laura’s team to assist in these areas. Recently semi-retired from the City of St. Albans with over 40 years of service, she plans to spend more time with her family and continue exploring our beautiful State of West Virginia.
Elizabeth Elswick
Digital Media Creator & Grant Writing
Elizabeth is a 5th generation West Virginian, raised in Kanawha County. She earned a B.S. in Printing Technology and Graphic Design from West Virginia University Institute of Technology in 2012. Elizabeth is also an artist with an apparel and accessories business of her own. Elizabeth has worked as a MS4 Coordinator for 4+ years and has 7+ years experience in web design and social media. Elizabeth is just beginning her journey in grant writing with her mentor Laura.
Princess Vannoy
Fundraising & Planning
Princess is a life-long resident of the state of WV. She is a graduate of St. Albans High School and continued her education at West Virginia State University, with a focus on Special Education. It was during her early career working in mental health, that she learned she had a knack for special event planning and fundraising, by working with the Special Olympics. These early beginnings paved the way for over 30 years in executive non-profit management. Her fundraising experience was enhanced in 2012, by getting certified in “Developing Major Gifts” and “Developing Annual Sustainability” via courses offered by The Fund Raising School, at The Lilly Family Center on Philanthropy, at Indiana University. Princess’s experience gained over the years encompasses project management, planning and logistics for large-scale events, research and development, strategic planning, board development, grant writing, donor cultivation, annual campaigns, sponsorship recruitment, alumni campaigns, major gift campaigns and capital campaigns.
Andrea Smock.
Grant Writing
Andrea Smock is a life-long West Virginia resident who grew up in Mingo County and now resides in St. Albans. She graduated from Marshall University with a degree in Journalism with minors in Political Science, English, and Marketing. Andrea has more than 25 years’ experience in marketing and communications with both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. She has worked in many aspects of corporate communications, including strategic planning, project management, communication initiatives, media relations, website development, and event planning. Andrea is also well versed in researching, writing, and tracking for grant writing and fund raising. She is passionate about advancing her home state, as well as preserving the beauty and history of our region.
Emily Dodrill
Research Specialist
Emily, a born-and-raised native of St. Albans, West Virginia, is a graduate of St. Albans High School. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Dance and Psychology from West Virginia University. Following her graduation, Emily commenced her professional dance career with West Virginia’s only professional touring modern dance company, the West Virginia Dance Company (WVDC). Emily remains an active member of WVDC, touring the beautiful mountains of West Virginia, where she performs for and educates both children and adult Appalachians on dance and the arts. Grateful to have found Laura Cox Planning & Design, Emily cherishes the opportunity to work with wonderful people and contribute to the realization of impactful projects for individuals, businesses, and communities.