PARKVILLE, MO, JANUARY 21, 2016 – On January 19, 2016, the Board of Aldermen approved the hiring of Stephen Lachky as the city’s Community Development Director. Following a national recruitment, Mr. Lachky was chosen from a pool of qualified applicants after completing a demanding interview and assessment process with city staff and volunteer technical experts from other community and economic development organizations.
Mr. Lachky currently serves as a Transportation Planner for the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC). He brings experience in regional, metropolitan and local-level planning and programming. Stephen is a native of Leawood, Kansas, and graduated with a Master of Regional and Community Planning degree from Kansas State University. Stephen was MARC’s staff liaison for the City’s Route 9 Corridor Study and has attained the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) credential. He is an active member of the American Planning Association (APA) and is involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. Stephen also received a 2013 Award of Appreciation from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for his contribution to completing the United States Department of Transportation’s Kansas City Regional Transportation Improvements Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Project, a $50 million project, on time and within budget.
Parkville City Administrator Lauren Palmer said that “Stephen impressed me throughout the selection process with his professionalism and enthusiasm. His background in transportation planning and grant administration will assist the City in achieving its community development goals along major corridors including Route 9 and Route 45. His colleagues and past employers describe Stephen as a rising star in the profession, and I look forward to seeing that star rise in Parkville.”
Stephen said, “I was blessed to serve on the Route 9 Corridor Study Steering Committee over the past year where I worked alongside members of Parkville’s staff, Economic Development Council and Chamber of Commerce. I was able to familiarize myself with Parkville’s distinct community character, quality of life and amenities, unique transportation challenges, and opportunities moving forward. Community planning is not just my profession, it’s my passion; and I’m thrilled to be joining and complimenting the wonderful team at the City of Parkville!”
The Community Development Director oversees near- and long-term planning, zoning, subdivision, economic development, building permitting and inspections, code enforcement, floodplain management and line locating functions. Lachky will assume his duties as Community Development Director on February 8, 2016. A public welcome reception will be held on Tuesday, February 9 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall.
