
Remembering Travis Martin
It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of Travis Martin, our Director of Planning. His time with us was far too short, yet the impact he made on our firm, our clients, and each of us personally is profound and lasting.
Clients were drawn to Travis’s easy manner and trusted his thoughtful guidance. Within our team, he was more than a colleague—he was a friend and mentor who listened and encouraged.
I had looked forward to the future with Travis: seeing him guide complex projects across the country and welcoming him as a potential owner in our firm. He embodied the qualities of a true leader—curiosity, generosity, and a steady commitment to excellence. Most of all, he cared deeply about people and about the work we do together.
We honor his life, his friendship, and his contributions, and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family. Through this heartbreaking loss, may his memory inspire us to lead with the same kindness, dedication, and courage he showed every day.
- Wm. Raymond Manning, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, Founder
- Wm. Raymond Manning, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, Founder

““He looked for the good in everyone. And he gave so much of himself, freely, in his down-to-earth way that made connecting with him so easy.
We celebrated one night with our team at Mandina’s—it was a lot of fun.”
- Lisa Herron, NCIDQ
“Travis was a great person. It’s been two years since I have been here and I will never forget my first year working here. The first real project I worked on was with Travis, on the RTA Mobility Hub Planning Project. He was an outstanding leader; always there and where he was supposed to be. He was a genuine person you can count on, which is rare these days. Out of nowhere he would crack a joke with a smirk and small chuckle. Yet, he was ready to be serious when the time called for it and would be stern in accomplishing the goals he set out for his team. These are the reasons to value life, Travis was so amazing and he is gone like that and I can’t even tell him he was the MAN!”
- Colinn Early
- Lisa Herron, NCIDQ
“Travis was a great person. It’s been two years since I have been here and I will never forget my first year working here. The first real project I worked on was with Travis, on the RTA Mobility Hub Planning Project. He was an outstanding leader; always there and where he was supposed to be. He was a genuine person you can count on, which is rare these days. Out of nowhere he would crack a joke with a smirk and small chuckle. Yet, he was ready to be serious when the time called for it and would be stern in accomplishing the goals he set out for his team. These are the reasons to value life, Travis was so amazing and he is gone like that and I can’t even tell him he was the MAN!”
- Colinn Early

“Travis was a joy and easy to be around. He brought a level of comfort so that even an introverted person, like myself, could relax and open up. He will be missed for his contributions to the firm, as well as his personal impact to the firm’s employees, including myself.”
- Clarence S. Eugene III
“Travis was always a bright light in meetings, he had a presence. Even though I did not know him in person, I felt like I did. He worked with integrity, and I always looked forward to hearing about his travels.”
- Rachel Billingsley, AIA, IIDA
“If you ever had the chance to go on a site visit with Travis, you were in for a treat. With him the site wasn’t just a plot of land or a building, it was the community, the food, the culture, and the potential to be something good not just for the client but for everyone. It was truly inspiring how much you could learn and appreciate, just from driving around for a couple of hours with him. He had a true love for his work and the communities it benefited, and that is something I, as well as many others, will not forget.”
- Carson Piontek, AIA
- Clarence S. Eugene III
“Travis was always a bright light in meetings, he had a presence. Even though I did not know him in person, I felt like I did. He worked with integrity, and I always looked forward to hearing about his travels.”
- Rachel Billingsley, AIA, IIDA
“If you ever had the chance to go on a site visit with Travis, you were in for a treat. With him the site wasn’t just a plot of land or a building, it was the community, the food, the culture, and the potential to be something good not just for the client but for everyone. It was truly inspiring how much you could learn and appreciate, just from driving around for a couple of hours with him. He had a true love for his work and the communities it benefited, and that is something I, as well as many others, will not forget.”
- Carson Piontek, AIA


“Travis was a strong-willed and purposeful leader, both in his professional field and in every pursuit of his career. I had the honor of working under Travis during my time in Manning, and it was there I saw how a man who was passionate and in love with his community had the power to bring about positive change. He was driven by a vision to see Louisiana prosper, a sentiment that was infectious to everyone who knew him. His passion and drive will be missed, but will be carried on by all of us who had the beautiful opportunity to interact with him both professionally and personally.”
- Oscar Almengor, Assoc. AIA
“I had only recently rejoined the Manning team—a former intern excited to be a colleague of the professionals I had learned so much from in the past, Travis included. I mentioned in my interview, motioning to Travis, that I had developed a real interest in expanding my planning knowledge—looking forward to working with him. I knew Travis in a limited capacity and for only short periods, but I was quickly aware that he was smart, relied on, and enjoyed coming into the office for work. On Thursday, he shared his Sour Patch Kids candy with me, we sat next to one another and talked briefly about ultimate frisbee, and he said goodbye at the end of the workday with a smile and a wave. I’ll be remembering him like that—may he rest in the most perfect peace.”
- Jaycie Macdonald
“For every project he was a part of, Travis had an unwavering commitment to the communities in which the project would serve. It is a delicate balance for any project to meet the expectations of all clients, stakeholders, and community team members. He was always focused in his approach, to keep the people in which a project would serve, at the forefront of every decision made throughout a project. Travis had a rare quality that brought a level, or calmness, to a meeting or presentation that allowed everyone to bring down their guard and find common ground to use as the foundation for every project’s success. That was his talent, finding common ground with everyone. I would put his ability to connect with anyone as my biggest awe in how he presented himself personally and professionally. Every client interaction, public meeting, in office discussion, always was focused on finding the connection that brought everyone together. This connection always led to a better relationship and project outcome. That rare ability will be deeply missed among his coworkers, and the clients and communities in which he engaged. I miss him deeply, yes professionally, but as a friend and someone who taught me so much.”
- Ryan M. Bertucci, AIA
- Oscar Almengor, Assoc. AIA
“I had only recently rejoined the Manning team—a former intern excited to be a colleague of the professionals I had learned so much from in the past, Travis included. I mentioned in my interview, motioning to Travis, that I had developed a real interest in expanding my planning knowledge—looking forward to working with him. I knew Travis in a limited capacity and for only short periods, but I was quickly aware that he was smart, relied on, and enjoyed coming into the office for work. On Thursday, he shared his Sour Patch Kids candy with me, we sat next to one another and talked briefly about ultimate frisbee, and he said goodbye at the end of the workday with a smile and a wave. I’ll be remembering him like that—may he rest in the most perfect peace.”
- Jaycie Macdonald
“For every project he was a part of, Travis had an unwavering commitment to the communities in which the project would serve. It is a delicate balance for any project to meet the expectations of all clients, stakeholders, and community team members. He was always focused in his approach, to keep the people in which a project would serve, at the forefront of every decision made throughout a project. Travis had a rare quality that brought a level, or calmness, to a meeting or presentation that allowed everyone to bring down their guard and find common ground to use as the foundation for every project’s success. That was his talent, finding common ground with everyone. I would put his ability to connect with anyone as my biggest awe in how he presented himself personally and professionally. Every client interaction, public meeting, in office discussion, always was focused on finding the connection that brought everyone together. This connection always led to a better relationship and project outcome. That rare ability will be deeply missed among his coworkers, and the clients and communities in which he engaged. I miss him deeply, yes professionally, but as a friend and someone who taught me so much.”
- Ryan M. Bertucci, AIA


“Though our time together was brief, I was struck by his kindness and the genuine care he showed. His presence left
a lasting impression of warmth and compassion that will not
be forgotten.”
- Olliedra Foppe
“Travis was not only a colleague but a friend as well. It was an honor and a privilege to have known him, to work with him, and he will be deeply missed.”
- Tony Britt
- Olliedra Foppe
“Travis was not only a colleague but a friend as well. It was an honor and a privilege to have known him, to work with him, and he will be deeply missed.”
- Tony Britt


“It was fun working with Travis because he possessed a rare gift for personal and professional empathy. Travis had the ear and heart for listening deeply to the aspirations of his client stakeholders - all of them. His design process then grew out of a common passion for the dreams he shared with his clients.
Travis always brought to the table ideas, optimism, imagination, joy, and an honest affection for his fellow collaborators. I will miss Travis’ ability to have fun every day.”
- Marsden L. Moran
“Travis was a gentleman first and foremost, always trying to do right by the team, the client, and the project. I only knew him the short time but was quickly a big fan of his. We will mourn him as well.”
- Kevin P. Quan, AIA, Assoc. DBIA, Justice+Civic Leader | Principal, DLR Group
- Marsden L. Moran
“Travis was a gentleman first and foremost, always trying to do right by the team, the client, and the project. I only knew him the short time but was quickly a big fan of his. We will mourn him as well.”
- Kevin P. Quan, AIA, Assoc. DBIA, Justice+Civic Leader | Principal, DLR Group