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Lee’s Summit EDC hires Joe Perry as executive director, signals focus on workforce and business attraction
Summary
The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council named Joe Perry as its new executive director and outlined a 90-day plan emphasizing learning, membership growth, workforce development and KPIs. Board chair Michael Van Buskirk called Perry a “home run hire.”
The Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council (EDC) announced Joe Perry as its new executive director, a hire board leaders described during a council meeting as a “home run.”
EDC chair Michael Van Buskirk told the council the board conducted a nationwide search and selected Perry from a strong pool of candidates. Van Buskirk said the board completed job-description review, multiple interview rounds and a public recruitment process; Perry accepted the offer February 26 and officially begins April 1, though staff and board members said he’s already engaged in transition work.
Perry said the first 90 days will focus on listening, launching actionable business-attraction efforts, growing membership and strengthening workforce development and training partnerships. “To learn. To launch. To listen. To expand. To grow collaboratively,” Perry told council members, adding that he wants to create KPIs and dashboards so council and investors can see the return on public and private investment.
Why it matters: the EDC’s renewed activity followed a structural reorganization in 2024 and a short-term continuity agreement that kept the organization operational. The EDC told council it has updated mission and vision statements, established new standing committee roles, and is planning a 40th-anniversary calendar and stronger community partner outreach. The EDC also described work with the Workforce Alliance (employer-led coalition) to expand internships and other talent pipelines for local employers.
Council reaction: Mayor Baird and several council members praised the recruitment, thanked board volunteers and the interim staff, and said they expect the new leadership to deepen collaboration among the city, the new DMO, Downtown Main Street and local education partners.
Ending: The EDC’s new director will work closely with city staff and community partners to convert planning work into measurable outcomes for business attraction, retention and workforce development in Lee’s Summit.
