Press Kit
Welcome to the Kansas City Area Development Council press kit — your hub for essential information, brand assets and story resources about the Kansas City region. Explore the tools below to support your coverage of KC’s momentum, business wins and global visibility.
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Short Description
The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) elevates the OneKC region on the global stage, attracting jobs, investment and top talent.
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About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
The Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the OneKC region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies and talent around the world. Working closely with its two states and 50-plus county and community partners, the region has attracted more than 64,000 new jobs over its 45-year history. KCADC also leads the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, TeamKC and KC Global Design. | onekc.org
Fast Facts About the One KC Region
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KCADC Leadership
Meet the leaders guiding regional marketing, economic development and strategic initiatives on behalf of the KC region.
Tim Cowden
President & CEO
Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
Tim Cowden leads strategic direction and vision for the Kansas City Area Development Council, guiding efforts that position the KC region as a top destination for business and talent.
Under Tim’s leadership, KCADC is consistently ranked as one of the leading regional economic development groups in the country and recognized internationally for its robust marketing communications strategies. In collaboration with 300 corporate leaders and more than 50 community partners across the two-state, 18-county region, KCADC has helped attract $9.5 billion in new capital investment and 15,000 jobs to the area over the past five years.
A trusted voice in economic development, Tim has been featured in major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, MarketWatch, Industry Week and The Washington Post, providing expert insight into top industry trends and real-time market developments.
Tim is active on several boards and community-focused organizations throughout the KC region.
Jill McCarthy
Senior Vice President, Corporate Attraction
Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
With more than 30 years’ experience, Jill leads KCADC’s high-performing business recruitment team, serving companies and national site selection consultants exploring the Greater Kansas City area for expansion or relocation. Jill and her team work with partners across KC’s 18-county, 50+ community, two-state region to drive new business, talent attraction and capital investment.
Jill’s expertise spans IT, cybersecurity, data centers, mission-critical operations, headquarters, finance, insurance, and shared and customer service operations. Her notable successes include A Place for Mom, ChowNow, DataBank, Littler, Magna International, Meta, OptumRx, Thryv, Torch.AI, TTEC, U.S. Bank, USDA and the U.S. Marine Corps MCEITS.
A two-time recipient of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers, Jill was also honored in 2018 by the KCBJ Women Who Mean Business. She serves on the KC Ballet Business Council Board and the KC Tech Council Industry Leadership Council, and as a former president of CREW KC, she mentors emerging leaders through the international CREW Network Leadership Program.
Jonathan Knecht
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Creative Services
Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)
As senior vice president, marketing + creative at the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC), Jonathan directs a powerful in-house marketing team and outside creative partners through strategy and creative execution to elevate the KC brand.
Consistently ranked by site location consultants as a top regional group in the nation, KCADC is the private, nonprofit economic development organization charged with attracting business and talent to the 18-county, Kansas City region of 2.5 million people.
With KCADC since 2004, Jonathan has helped lead a comprehensive effort to promote awareness of the KC metro’s economic strengths and creative culture.
Jonathan has a BFA in Design from the Kansas City Art Institute and prior to KCADC, he worked on the agency side creating award-winning work with global brand clients such as Microsoft, Walmart and Hallmark.
Press Inquiries
For interviews, data requests or story support, reach out to our communications team.
Megan Segura
Senior Director
Market Intelligence + Technology Solutions
816.266.0268
Laura Phillips
Senior Manager
PR & Digital Communications
202.712.4517
Addie Linn
Senior Manager
Marketing & Creative Content
316.207.7580
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