Camden on the Lake Resort - Discounted room rate is $144. Reservations must be made by April 1. Must register to receive discount code. Cancellations or changes in arrival and/or departure dates must be received at least 72 hours in advance to avoid forfeiture of first night stay. Early departures will be charged the contracted nightly rate for the entire reserved stay.

Lodge of Four Seasons (overflow hotel) - Discounted room rate is $121 plus $12 resort fee. Group ID: Mo City County Manager Association

Guests will still want to call Camden on the Lake to make a wait list reservation. Their staff will then direct guest to call the Lodge of Four Seasons. Call toll free at (888) 265-5500. 

KEYNOTE: Kim Becking

Kim Becking is an engaging, high-energy, fun and impactful motivational keynote speaker, change and leadership expert, success coach and award-winning author who helps organizations and leaders conquer change, boost resilience and build a Momentum Mindset® to accelerate success no matter what.

Kim knows a thing or two about change and challenges through her own experiences in business and life.  As an attorney, serial entrepreneur running two successful businesses for over two decades, communications strategist and “recovering” political consultant, Kim has conquered the ever-changing tough worlds of business, government, and politics.  She’s also conquered breast cancer and other life challenges.

Kim provides practical tools and strategies to effectively manage change and deal with difficult people, tough conversations, and hard issues.   Kim doesn’t want you to just bounce back after change and adversity – she wants you to develop a Momentum Mindset® where you bounce higher, push past limited thinking, get unstuck, and use the change and adversity in life as the fuel needed to propel you forward – faster, further, stronger and better than ever before. 

After hearing Kim, audiences leave ready to take her relatable lessons and practical solutions and put them into immediate action.

Kim’s expertise on resilience and thriving in the midst of change has been featured in national media such as People, SELF, The New York Times, USA Today, Good Morning America and Lifetime Television.

Kim resides in Columbia, Missouri with her blended family of five and travels throughout the United States and internationally for conferences, conventions and events.

Martha Perego, Direction of Member Services and Ethics, ICMA
10:30 am Concurrent Session: Do the Right Thing
10 am Session: Ethics Take Aways (May 8)

Martha has been with ICMA since 1998 and currently serves as the Director of Member Services and ICMA’s ethics program. In this capacity, she provides advice, guidance and training to ICMA members on applying the principles of the ICMA Code of Ethics to the local government profession. Essential to her position, Martha oversees the ethics enforcement process and provides support to the ICMA Committee on Professional Conduct. Martha is also the author of a monthly column Ethics Matter! for ICMA’s PM magazine, consults with local governments on development of ethics policies and codes, and conducts training programs for local government staff and elected officials on ethical issues.

Prior to joining ICMA, Martha worked in local government for 17 years as a municipal manager, assistant manager, finance director and budget analyst. She holds an undergraduate degree in public service from The Pennsylvania State University, a MPA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed the Senior Executive Institute at UVA.  Martha is also an ICMA Credentialed Manager.

Thomas Wieczorek, Director, Center for Public Safety Management
10:30 am Concurrent Session: Asking the Right Questions
3 pm Concurrent Session: Strategic Planning For Improved Safety Services

Thomas Wieczorek is an expert in emergency management, fire and emergency medical services operations. He has served as a police officer, fire chief, director of public safety, emergency manager, and city manager and is former Executive Director of the Center for Public Safety Excellence (formerly the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, Inc.). He has taught a number of programs for Grand Valley State University, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Grand Rapids Community College. He testified frequently for the Michigan Municipal League before the legislature and in several courts as an expert in the field of accident reconstruction and fire department management. He is the past-president of the Michigan Local Government Manager’s Association (now Michigan Municipal Executives or MME); served as the vice-chairperson of the Commission on Fire Officer Designation; and served as a representative of ICMA on the NFPA 1710 career committee, the NFPA 1730 Education Staffing committee, Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), and emergency management liaison groups representing ICMA.

He most recently was chosen to represent ICMA at a national forum on recruitment and retaining volunteers within the fire service that has been meeting in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He worked with the National League of Cities and the Department of Homeland Security to create and deliver a program on emergency management for local officials titled, “Crisis Leadership for Local Government Officials.” That program was presented in 43 states and was assigned a course number by the DHS.

He received the Mark E. Keane “Award for Excellence” in 2000 from the ICMA, the Association’s highest award and was honored as City Manager of the Year (1999) and Person of the Year (2003) by the Rural Water Association of Michigan, and distinguished service by the Michigan Municipal League in 2005.

Dr. Brenda Bouse, The Quality Coach
1:30 pm Concurrent Session: #Winning...Build Your Best Team!

Bio coming soon!

Amy Eagan, The Quality Coach
1:30 pm Concurrent Session: #Winning...Build Your Best Team!

Bio coming soon!

Steve Whitson, Community Initiatives Department Manager, Missouri Housing Development Commission
1:30 pm Concurrent Session: Homelessness Panel

Steve Whitson is from Independence, KS. He graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2013. After serving a year as an Americorp VISTA volunteer working with low-income families he became the Assistant Manager for the Housing Programs at Metro Lutheran Ministry in Kansas City. In 2017, he began working for the Missouri Housing Development Commission as the Emergency Solutions Grant Coordinator in the Community Initiatives Department. He is currently the Community Initiatives Department Manager which oversees approximately 10 million dollars in state and federal homeless assistance funding each year.

Julie Carmichael, Director of Programs, Amethyst Place
1:30 pm Concurrent Session: Homelessness Panel

Julie Carmichael has her MPA in Public Finance from Syracuse University. She has over 25 years’ experience creating programs with related performance measures and tracking systems, and analyzing data with statistical methods to improve operational efficiency and service outcomes.

For the past 7 years she served as Director of Programs for Amethyst Place, located in Kansas City’s urban core, a facility that provides supportive housing for women who are recovering from drug and/or alcohol addiction, and their children. Projects include grant writing, developing a program evaluation framework to assess the strengths of programs and identify areas for improvement, leveraging community partnerships, economic and demographic data analysis, benefits counseling, family survey and data compilations, and advocacy materials focused on educating citizens and legislators about structures that keep families trapped in poverty.

Prior to joining Amethyst Place Julie was owner of Public Finance Consultants for 22 years, working as a financial management consultant for over 30 area municipalities and nonprofits. Projects include financial analysis, management tools, effective communications for governing bodies and stakeholders, operating and capital budget design and production, performance measurement systems, strategic fiscal planning models, cost recovery and privatization studies, and revenue forecasting. 

Julie is currently working as a consultant to several nonprofits and in partnership with the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at UMKC, continuing  her advocacy work to influence public policies and support programs that improve the lives of low-income children and families.

DeAnna Sheets, Director of Curriculum, Assessment & Federal Program, Branson R-IV Schools
1:30 pm Concurrent Session: Homelessness Panel

DeAnna Sheets has been in education for 16 years and is the Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Federal Programs for the Branson School District in Branson, MO. DeAnna has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a Master’s in Teaching, Learning & Curriculum from Missouri State University and is currently working on her doctorate in Educational Leadership through Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. In her 16 years she has taught multiple grade levels and subjects and served as an instructional coach working side by side with teachers. During her time as an administrator she has worked with school counselors, social workers and community agencies to secure services for at-risk populations in the Branson School District.

Randy Sharp, Director of Operations, InterServ-St. Joseph
1:30 pm Concurrent Session: Homelessness Panel

Randy Sharp is the Director of Operations for InterServ in St. Joseph Missouri. Randy has been involved in homeless work for over 20 years. In that time he has served as the Chair of the St. Joseph Continuum of Care for Homeless Services multiple times, serves as the lead data coordinator for the COC and works on the yearly HUD NOFA submission. He has also serves on the Missouri Governors Committee to End Homelessness and is the former Chair of that group. At InterServ he oversees a diverse set of programs that address issues with children, youth, families and seniors. He also works closely with InterServ’s sister organization Community Missions Corporation which provides permanent supportive housing, safe haven housing and street outreach services for the homeless.

Rob Dixon, Director, DED
3 pm Concurrent Session: Economic Development Programs and Panel Discussion

Rob serves as Director of the Department of Economic Development, which oversees the state’s  business and workforce development activities. Under Governor Mike Parson, Rob was responsible for leading the Best in Midwest initiative aimed at transforming the Department into the top economic development agency in the Midwest. Prior to serving in state government, Rob led the Missouri Community College Association and worked directly with businesses as an economic developer in Springfield, Missouri.

Mark Dunning, Asst. City Manager for Development and Planning, Lee’s Summit
3 pm Concurrent Session: Economic Development Programs and Panel Discussion

Mark Dunning is currently an Assistant City Manager for the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri.  Mr. Dunning has been employed by the City of Lee’s Summit since 1997 where he has served as a Building Inspector, Plans Examiner, Division Manager of Building Inspections, Division Manager of Inspection Services (managing the Building Inspection and Neighborhood Services Divisions) and in 2003 was promoted to the Director of Codes Administration for the City of Lee’s Summit.  As the Director of Codes Administration, he was in charge of the Permit and Plan Review Division, Building Inspection Division, and Neighborhood Services Division (property maintenance and zoning enforcement).  In 2008 Mark assumed additional duties as the Director of Redevelopment for the City of Lee’s Summit, and in 2014 was further promoted to the Development Center Director where he was responsible for implementing a reorganization and overseeing various business and development programs and processes.  In October of 2015, Mr. Dunning was promoted to his current position as an Assistant City Manager where he is responsible for oversight of the Development Services, Communications, Cultural Arts and Information Technology Departments.

Mark graduated from the University of Central Missouri with a Bachelors Degree in Construction Engineering Technology and worked for 7 years in the residential and commercial construction industry prior to his involvement in local government.  Mark is a Certified Building Official (C.B.O.) and holds seven other professional certifications through the International Code Council.  In 2019, Mr. Dunning obtained a Master’s in Public Affairs through Park University.

David Bushek, Chief Counsel for Economic Development and Planning, Lee’s Summit
3 pm Concurrent Session: Economic Development Programs and Panel Discussion

David W. Bushek is the Chief Counsel of Economic Development and Planning with the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri.  Mr. Bushek has held this position with the City for one year.  Prior to joining the Lee’s Summit Law Department in 2018, he was a shareholder in the Kansas City office of Gilmore & Bell, P.C.  Mr. Bushek has been in practice since 1994. Mr. Bushek received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa in 1991 and his J.D. from the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 1994. He received his Master of Urban Planning from the University of Kansas in 1996. Prior to joining the law firm, Mr. Bushek was the Deputy City Attorney for the City of Lee’s Summit from 2000 through 2004.

Mr. Bushek specializes in economic development, land-use, municipal, planning and zoning law. While in law school he was the Editor in Chief of The Urban Lawyer and was a member of the National Moot Court Team.

Mr. Bushek has represented numerous cities in Missouri on development projects that use tax increment financing, transportation development districts, community improvement districts, neighborhood improvement districts and other economic development tools.  While in private practice he worked on development projects with several Missouri cities including Independence, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Springfield, Branson, Raymore, Smithville and Platte City.

JD Douglas, City Manager, Sikeston
3 pm Concurrent Session: Economic Development Programs and Panel Discussion

Jonathan Douglass (JD) has been the city manager of Sikeston, Missouri, for 6 years. Prior to that he worked in various positions with the City of Lawrence, Kansas. JD is a graduate of Texas A&M University and the University of Kansas. In Sikeston he helped reorganize economic development, tourism, and chamber of commerce efforts into an independent economic development corporation.

Richard Sheets, Deputy Director, MML
9 am Session: Legislative Update (May 8)

Richard Sheets is deputy director of the Missouri Municipal League.  In addition other duties at the League, Richard directs the League’s legislative and advocacy efforts. Prior to joining the League in 1980, Richard served on the staff of Missouri Governor Joseph Teasdale.  He also has held the position of planning director for Greene County, Missouri. Richard graduated from Southwest Missouri State University with a degree in urban and regional planning.  

Wednesday, May 6 at the Ridge Golf Course, 315 Seasons Drive, Lake Ozark MO 65049. Requires a separate registration. Click HERE to register.

Shotgun start at 11 a.m. SHARP to insure completion of the event well in advance of the opening reception.

The event will be a four person scramble. The cost is $80/player, includes 18 holes golf, cart, range balls, lunch, two drink tickets and skins game.

Registration deadline Tuesday, April 28. Due to the requirement that meal guarantees be made in advance, cancellations should be made to Emily Koenigsfeld at emilyk@mocities.com by Wednesday, April 29. No refund of the registration fee will be made after 5 p.m. on April 29.