Ralph Willmer of Watertown, a senior urban planner, has been inducted into The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) College of Fellows.

Willmer, who is a senior planner and project manager with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. in Watertown, was named a fellow for his community service and leadership.

"He has helped bring about important and meaningful change to the communities where he has worked and to the young planners he has mentored as well as to American Planning Association (APA) and the planning profession," according to a statement.

During the years of service to APA, Willmer changed the way APA operates, particularly with respect to legislation and policy and in telling the planning story. His work on the association’s legislative and policy committee altered the form, shape, and quality of APA’s advocacy efforts locally and nationally, according to a statement.

"The AICP College of Fellows recognizes individuals who’ve made exceptional contributions to the planning profession," said AICP President Paul Inghram. "The fellows have devoted their careers to excellence in planning and they set the highest standards for professional planners today."

Planners who have been longtime members of AICP and have demonstrated excellence may be elected to the fellowship. Thirty-seven planners from 22 states were inducted into the AICP College of Fellows, which was held earlier this month at Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans.

Willmer joins about 16,000 practicing urban and rural planners in North America and elsewhere with AICP certification. Of those, approximately 400 have been named fellows.