Drake Elder is a SEED Certified landscape designer and project manager at WLA whose work emphasizes sustainable, practical, and community-centered design. Raised in Henderson County, he developed an early appreciation for healthy communities and regional cultural landscapes through his background in local farm-to-table agriculture. Prior to pursuing landscape architecture, Drake gained hands-on experience in construction, surveying, and residential design-build, shaping his ability to translate design intent into buildable, enduring landscapes. He holds a BS in Environmental Studies from Brevard College, with a concentration in Sustainable Agriculture and minors in Natural History and Ecology, and an MLA from NC State University along with a Graduate Certificate in Public Interest Design. Drake is committed to advancing equitable and context-sensitive design throughout Western North Carolina and the surrounding region.