Adam Rak

Senior Planner I

As a Senior Urban Planner at JSD, Adam Rak considers himself a problem solver at heart. With a background in architecture and planning, he enjoys “speaking the language” of both architects and engineers, helping bridge disciplines and bring diverse perspectives together to create thoughtful, well-rounded solutions for clients and communities.

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A graduate of the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master’s in Suburb and Town Design, Adam is especially excited to be part of JSD’s multidisciplinary team. He values how planning is complemented by JSD’s surveying, engineering, and landscape architecture expertise—an integrated approach that encourages collaboration, strengthens project outcomes, and helps turn big-picture ideas into successful, buildable solutions.

Originally from Chicago, Adam is a lifelong Blackhawks, White Sox, and Bears fan and a proud supporter of his alma mater’s Miami Hurricanes—Go Canes!

If he could choose any job in the world without worrying about a paycheck, Adam would happily become a groundskeeper at Augusta National Golf Club. It would be a fitting return to his roots: his first paying job was caddying at a country club in suburban Chicago, where his best payday for a round was $40—although a hot dog and drink at the turn made for a pretty good bonus.

Adam also has a twin brother. And while he insists they aren’t “those weird twins,” they did attend the same university, study the same subject, and ultimately build careers in the same industry. We’ll let you decide.

Outside of work, you’ll likely find Adam on the golf course. He challenges you to find someone who plays more often with less improvement!

If you could build a brand-new phone app to do something helpful for you, what would it do?
Let me know when my phone can empty my dishwasher!

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island and your basic human needs—such as food and water—were provided, what other two items would you want to have with you?
Is a margarita considered a basic human need?

If you found a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million, how do you spend it?
I would invest part of it but use the rest to retire my closest friends and family so that I have always have a foursome to travel and play golf with!