Barbara currently serves as a LA CES representative, with her term beginning in 2024. She considers it an honor to contribute to CLARB and ASLA’s shared mission of protecting public health, safety and welfare. Supporting licensed landscape architects through this work has been both meaningful and rewarding.
Barbara began working in licensing board management in 2002 through her family’s business, Upton Associates, which managed the North Carolina Geology and Landscape Architect Licensing Boards. In 2009, she became executive director of the newly established North Carolina Irrigation Contractors’ Licensing Board, later transitioning to project manager in 2018. Since 2012, following her father’s retirement, she has served as executive director for both the Geology and Landscape Architect Boards.
“My involvement with CLARB over the years has been a deeply rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. CLARB sets a standard of excellence that is truly beyond reproach. As the executive of multiple state licensing boards, I often encourage others to look to CLARB as a model—not only for state associations, but for national organizations as well.”