Overall Responsibilities: To aggressively promote economic development for commercial, retail and residential investments in the City of Overland Park through attraction, retention and expansion. Financially plan, supervise and maintain a professional staff to execute strategies that facilitate development of existing and future businesses, enhance the talent pipeline and produce a marketing program that promotes Overland Park on a regional and national stage.

>Dedicated Economic Development Director with a proven track record of driving sustainable growth and prosperity in diverse communities. Leveraging an extensive background in economic strategy, public-private partnerships, and stakeholder engagement, I am committed to fostering innovation, attracting investments, and enhancing the overall economic vitality of regions. Possessing a keen analytical mind, strong leadership skills, and a passion for fostering collaboration.>Established the city's 4th Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIF Zone) in the North Shore District.>Assisted in the establishment of Jackson Shaw's Lakeview Business District - a 1.65 M Square Foot project expected to drive $165 Million of investment, and projected to add 1200 jobs.>Established Rowlett as a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Community.>Established a Downtown Manager position to prioritize business retention and recruitment to that area.>In partnership with our consultants, increased our social media following and interactions by providing timely, informative content.>Collaborated with Garland Independent School District, Dallas College and local businesses to create a talent pipeline for workers in specialized areas.>Participated in numerous recruitment efforts locally and with Team Texas to promote development opportunities in Rowlett.

Utilizing a strategic approach to diversifying Rowlett's tax base through job creation and the implementation and promotion of the Realize Rowlett 2020 vision.>Assist the Director with establishing economic development programs and practices that lead to private investment in the City and result in job creation, expanded tax base, creative and nice development, recreation and entertainment venues, and other quality projects.>Assist the Director with the implementation of a strategic and proactive recruitment strategy for the promotion of the city to business and industry by contacting national and international businesses, site selectors, brokers, developers and consultants.>Ensure the City is successful in efforts related to developing and maintaining strong working relationships with the Chamber of Commerce, developers, corporate leaders, business owners, public school officials, and other regional and state economic development agencies and Rowlett citizens.>Provide oversight and manage staff on the Business Retention& Expansion partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. Interact with local businesses to maintain a positive relationship and open communication to resolve business needs and promote expansion opportunities in the City.

Experienced a permanent lay-off resulting from budget cuts due the COVID-19 pandemic. Created an economic development department within the City's operations, and worked to advance the City's strategic initiatives in Economic Development in a dynamic and diverse community. Implemented business attraction and retention efforts.>Utilizing consultants, oversaw the creation of an economic development strategic plan and hotel feasibility study. >Managed 6500 SF of city-owned retail space and solicited proposals for city-owned vacant land.>Successfully transitioned management of a 94-space public parking garage in the City's downtown district from a private company to in-house operations. Included hiring cleaning and maintenance vendors, upgrades to lighting and security cameras, staffing, and managing monthly parking agreements with nearby businesses.>Managed an economic development sales tax fund with an annual budget of $630,000 and a $2.3 million reserve with the assistance of a board, distributed funds to support economic and community development. >Prepared framework for a COVID-19 Business Loan Program.>Instituted and managed a $150,000 facade improvement program on a city-wide basis allowing property owners and tenants to update their properties. >Oversaw the placement of a mural created by St. Louis Artworks in the City's parking garage to promote public art and community partnerships. >Created a special web page and electronic newsletter to assist businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, counseled businesses on available programs and began work on a financial business assistance program.>Assisted developers on hotel and mixed-use projects.

Managed a variety of municipal government functions, including all aspects of economic development, customer service, public relations and communications, employee relations, wellness, business assistance/licensing. Oversight of Municipal Court and Information Technologies areas.Municipal Government• Assist the City Administrator in various duties including employee relations, organizational problem solving, and community and City Council relations. • Created a new economic development division within the City of Chesterfield, implementing several initiatives such as creating a strategic plan; marketing materials, web site content & ad campaigns; created a business retention & expansion program; established an economic development advisory board and an entrepreneurial/micro-business development education program. • Participated in and led Strategic Planning and Budgeting processes for various departments, including leading City Council through a SWOT analysis.• Coordinated efforts with the Parks Division to include arts as City operations.• Manage the City’s Neighborhood Improvement District process, assisting residents with a funding mechanism to create neighborhood improvements with a public benefit. • Manage the City’s Wellness program that has consistently led to reductions in or low rate health insurance increases and secured better benefit options for employees in a variety of areas.• Coordinated economic development growth from start up to Fortune 500 companies, resulting in billions of dollars of capital investment and thousands of jobs retained and/or created.Recent Economic Development Project Successes:• Reinsurance Group of America (Fortune 500 co) expansion & relocation, 300 new jobs (1200 total) $150M investment.• Mercy Health’s Multi-Phase Virtual Care Center, Outpatient, and HQ campus. • Regional expansion of Rabo Agrifinance, $34.1M investment, 34 new jobs, retaining 220.•Monsanto’s R&D Campus $400M expansion, 675 new jobs.

Foster the creation of wealth and job growth within the city of Chesterfield through working with existing business and promoting our community outside of Chesterfield, serve as a community resource for services within our community, provide all public relations for the City, act as the staff liaision to the Citizens Cmte for the Environment.

Promoted to handle all aspects of economic development, including business attraction & retention and implementation and management of the City's Community Development Block Grant program.• Implemented a Business Retention Program & Business Recognition Programs• Managed $269,000 in Community Development Block Grant federal funds for programs that benefited low income and senior adults.

Marketing & tenant relations for 360-acre Partnership Industrial Center, economic development partner with the City & Chamber of Commerce, utility business relations.