Clyde R. McQueen serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Midwest region’s premier job training and placement enterprise, the Full Employment Council (FEC) – Missouri Career Center.  Since 1987, FEC has been the planning and operations entity for two Workforce Investment Boards, serving five counties and the City of Kansas City, Missouri. He directs a staff of 100+ employees and administers an $18 million budget for job training, education and economic development activities.

“People would call me/my company if they need help with employment and training opportunities in the Greater Kansas City region,” says McQueen.  “We serve clients in Jackson, Cass, Clay, Platte, and Ray Counties.”

FEC provides staff support to two Workforce Investment Boards and three Advisory Boards to aid in the design and implementation of the employment programs. FEC directs program activities for rural, urban and suburban populations and has been featured in national and local publications for its program effectiveness and innovation.

When asked to tell us something most people don’t know about him, McQueen revealed that he was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in Texas.  He and his dad own a tree farm.

“One thing I love about Kansas City is that it is a welcoming community,” says McQueen. “Close to 2.2 million residents benefit from the resources and opportunities of a diverse and vast community comprised of the arts, an extensive and creative entrepreneurial sector, innovative thinking, and an unmatched philanthropic spirit that positions us to be leaders in the 21st century global community.  Economic Development in Kansas City Missouri is important because it creates opportunities for our businesses to grow and expand.  It creates career opportunities for our citizenry that enables them to raise families and create future opportunities for our youth in the entrepreneurial and employment sectors of our region.”

McQueen has received numerous awards and recognitions including “Professional of the Year” by the Missouri Association of Workforce Development, “Local Hero” and “100 Most Influential Kansas Citians” by Ingram’s Magazine, “Job Training Professional for the Year” by the National Alliance of Business, “Distinguished Service Award” by the Texas Association of SDA Administrators and “Top State Manager” by the State of Texas.

Clyde holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Speech Communications and Political Science from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. He completed the Top State Manager’s Executive Education Program at Duke University. He currently serves as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Workforce Development Council and is a member of the Clay County Economic Development Corporation, Research Medical Center Board, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Advisory Board, United Way Income Impact Council, Federal Reserve Bank Community Development Council and Alliance for Economic Inclusion, and the United Services Community Action Agency Board.