Center for Planning Excellence

The Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) is an independent nonprofit planning organization based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It works with communities, local governments, and state leaders across Louisiana to promote sustainable growth through urban, rural, and regional planning. CPEX describes its vision as "Planning for Our People, Planning for Our Future" and positions itself as a source of thought leadership and proven planning models that guide cities, towns, and parishes toward a shared vision for a thriving Louisiana. CPEX traces its origins to 1998, when founder Elizabeth "Boo" Thomas was hired by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to lead a multi-sector collaboration that produced Plan Baton Rouge, a downtown revitalization plan. That effort catalyzed decades of investment and led to the creation of CPEX. The organization was formally established as an independent nonprofit in 2006, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, when planning needs across south Louisiana became urgent. Under Thomas's leadership and with Cordell Haymon as founding board member, CPEX helped communities develop resilience plans to guide future growth and reduce vulnerability to subsequent disasters. CPEX's work spans planning, policy, and community engagement. Its stated impact includes more than 75 communities impacted, 65% of resources or projects in high-need areas, 1,200+ residents engaged in 2024, 125+ plans and resources produced, and 17+ demonstration projects. The organization publishes a quarterly newsletter, maintains a blog on topics such as climate adaptation, tree canopy, solar energy, offshore wind, and street safety, and hosts events including an annual summit. Its board of directors draws expertise from planning, law, legislation, economic development, entrepreneurship, marketing, communications, healthcare, and philanthropy. CPEX operates as a nonprofit rather than a commercial enterprise, but it functions as a brand in the planning and community development space in Louisiana. It partners with communities and leaders, produces plans and resources, and engages residents in planning processes. Its website is cpex.org and its main line is 225-267-6300.

The Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) began with an effort in 1998, when founder Elizabeth "Boo" Thomas was hired by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to lead a multi-sector collaboration to create the vision and strategies that became Plan Baton Rouge. That downtown revitalization plan catalyzed decades of investment and improvement, led to the creation of CPEX, and sparked a next wave of transformative planning efforts addressing needs throughout the city. In 2006, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita made clear that planning needs were urgent in all of south Louisiana. Under Boo Thomas's leadership and with Cordell Haymon as the founding board member, CPEX was established as an independent nonprofit organization to meet this need, helping communities in Louisiana develop resilience plans to guide future growth and development in ways that would reduce their vulnerability to subsequent disasters. In 2007, CPEX's partnership with the Louisiana Recovery Authority produced Louisiana Speaks, a regional plan reflecting resident preferences. The organization has since grown into a statewide planning resource, producing plans and resources, engaging residents, and undertaking demonstration projects. Its stated impact includes more than 75 communities impacted, 65% of resources or projects in high-need areas, 1,200+ residents engaged in 2024, 125+ plans and resources produced, and 17+ demonstration projects. CPEX continues to operate as a nonprofit, publishing a quarterly newsletter, maintaining a blog on topics such as climate adaptation, tree canopy, solar energy, offshore wind, and street safety, and hosting events including an annual summit. Its board of directors includes leaders from planning, law, legislation, economic development, entrepreneurship, marketing, communications, healthcare, and philanthropy.

• 2007

  CPEX's partnership with the Louisiana Recovery Authority produced Louisiana Speaks, a regional plan reflecting resident preferences.

• 2006

  CPEX established as an independent nonprofit organization under Boo Thomas's leadership, with Cordell Haymon as founding board member.

• 1998

  Elizabeth "Boo" Thomas hired by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to lead a multi-sector collaboration that produced Plan Baton Rouge.

Nonprofit planning organization promoting sustainable growth through expert urban, rural, and regional planning in Louisiana.

• Plan Baton Rouge

  Downtown revitalization plan that catalyzed decades of investment and improvement.

• Louisiana Speaks

  Regional plan produced in partnership with the Louisiana Recovery Authority, reflecting resident preferences.

1. 1Homepage - CPEXcpex.org
2. 2History - CPEXcpex.org
3. 3The Board - CPEXcpex.org
4. 4The Staff - CPEXcpex.org
5. 5Center for Planning Excellence - Wikidatawikidata.org