By Christa Vragel, Writer
Patrick Caughey is the President and Principal of Wimmer Yamada and Caughey. Go anywhere in San Diego County and you will see the “magic” wrought by this firm established in 1954. The diversity of its projects is truly impressive. It handles everything from the smallest design projects to the very largest. In covering this wide scope, it collaborates with other design and planning professions from beginning to end. The company has combined the wisdom and expertise of the original principals, Harriett Wimmer, who passed away in 1980, and Joe Yamada, who retired in 1998, with the talent and skills of the present staff. Using the latest technology and urban planning principles, it helps re-design our region’s cultural landscape for a sustainable future.
Mr. Caughey has an extensive portfolio: a variety of civic projects; numerous academic facilities from public elementary schools to large higher education campus planning projects; park master planning and development projects; corporate campus developments; and, many federal and local government projects. Currently, he is Principal-in-Charge for such high-profile projects as the $21 million Miramar College Site and Infrastructure Development project; the National Oceanography and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) building located on the UCSD Campus; UCSD’s Muir College Apartments; and, all Pechanga Resort and Casino Expansion efforts.
Pat is a graduate of Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude) in Design with an emphasis in Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture. He is a licensed landscape architect in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
In addition to managing Wimmer Yamada and Caughey, Pat is active in promoting the profession of landscape architecture. He was inducted into the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) class of Fellows in 2004. He was appointed as the National President of the American Society of Landscape Architects in 2007 and has served in numerous positions within the organization. In 2013, Pat was awarded the ASLA President’s Medal for his service and contribution to the society. He recently completed a two year term as the Chair of the ASLA Council of Fellows.
Pat continues to give back to the community by serving as a Director on the La Colonia De Eden Gardens Foundation and by actively participating in San Diego Rotary Club 33 community projects. Previously Pat served on the national Board of Directors of ACE (Architecture Construction Engineering), an outreach and mentoring program working with high school students across the United States. He was elected as a Director to the Board of the San Diego Architectural Foundation and to the Board for the Boy Scouts of America San Diego Imperial Council. Pat has also been an advisor for the San Diego Mesa College Architecture Program.