The new structure is part of Advance KC, the Mayor’s initiative to streamline the City’s economic development processes.
Today, Mayor Sly James announced his appointments to the redesigned Board of Directors for the City’s Economic Development Corporation. The new board has nine members, five of which are appointed by the Mayor.
In addition to the Mayor, statutory members of the Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors are:
City Manager Troy Schulte was appointed city manager of Kansas City, MO on May 31, 2011. He previously served as the City’s budget director, the City Administrator for the City of Marengo, Iowa; and as assistant director of the Benton Development Group in Vinton, Iowa. Schulte has bachelor’s degrees in economics and history from Iowa State University, a master’s degree in economics from Iowa State University, and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee Chairman Ed Ford Councilman Ford serves the 2nd District at large. He previously served two consecutive terms as the 1st District at large councilman from 1995-2003 under Mayor Cleaver and Mayor Barnes where he was chairman of the Plans, Zoning and Economic Development Committee and also served on the Finance, Neighborhoods, and Legislative and Ethics Committees.
Past President of the Board, Clyde 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.
Members appointed by the Mayor are:
Bridgette Williams currently serves as Deputy Director of the Heavy Constructors Association of Greater Kansas City; a highway-heavy utility chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). Mrs. Williams has over 20 years experience in the field of transportation, construction and economic development policy.
Herb Sih is Managing Partner of Think Big Partners, an early stage, technology focusedhybrid business incubator and accelerator located in Kansas City. Prior to co-founding Think Big Partners, Herb spent 14 years in the investment industry with Merrill Lynch and Wachovia Securities. Herb attended the University of Kansas and holds a Bachelor of Science degree.
Tom Trabon is a licensed CPA actively involved in consulting with financial institutions, hotel companies, real estate firms and related professionals, and has been involved in tax consulting for historic properties for 28 years. He is the managing partner of Trabon & Company, a local CPA firm specializing in Real Estate Taxation.
Rosana Privitera Biondo is a founding employee of Mark One Electric Co., Inc., a specialty electrical contracting, and MBE/WBE firm, in Kansas City. In 1994, after 20 years with the company as an employee and as Secretary/Treasurer, Rosana became the President and an owner of Mark One. She currently oversees the day-to-day operations of the company with all eight departments reporting directly to her.
Spencer Fields is the office leader and client manager in Mercer’s Kansas City and St. Louis offices. Prior to joining Mercer in 1995, Spencer was a senior manager with Ernst & Young, LLP, where he helped to build and then managed the firm’s employee benefit consulting practice in the Kansas City area. Spencer received his BS in management with a minor in accounting, with honors from Purdue University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner.
The Advance KC process led to an economic development strategic plan, which included recommendations to spur more economic growth. Among those recommendations was the need for single point-of-entry for development projects. The new board reflects the Mayor’s and Council’s support for that recommendation.
“This strategic approach to economic development is another sign that Kansas City is not only open for business, but we are aggressive about recruiting and retaining high-growth businesses,” said Mayor Sly James. “I’m thankful to the other eight people on this board for their commitment to this community, our local economy, and in my administration’s goal of making Kansas City best.”