Forty Under 40: Jeremy Pate

Jeremy Pate has been involved in the city of Fayetteville’s growth since coming to work for the planning division in 2003.

Pate became interested in urban planning while studying abroad at the University of Melbourne in Australia. After graduating in 2001 from the University of Arkansas with a degree in landscape architecture, he moved to Denver, where he worked at a private consulting firm.

Since moving back to Fayetteville, he has worked in several positions in the city’s planning division until 2009 when Mayor Lioneld Jordan created a new position, director of development services, which oversees everything related to development within the city limits. Pate oversees a staff of 70 employees and a $3.7 million operating budget.

Pate said his biggest achievement has been being a part of the city’s comprehensive plan, which gathered input from citizens regarding how Fayetteville should grow. The process identified what the citizens wanted the city to look like, Pate said.

“It was certainly a milestone in my career being involved and helping to lead that project,” he said.

Pate said he hopes to continue to help Fayetteville grow in a positive direction, with a continued investment in the downtown area.

Pate is actively involved in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, where he serves as a senior warden on the vestry. He also continuously trains for long distance trail runs.