About KCADC
Who We Are
The Kansas City Area Development Council is the leading business organization, driving economic growth across the two-state, 18-county region of 2.7 million people. As KC’s sales and marketing team, KCADC promotes the area’s business and lifestyle assets to companies and talent around the world.
Best-in-Class
KCADC ranks among the nation’s Top 3 Regional Economic Development Organizations in each of the last five client surveys.
Core Functions
Corporate Attraction: Recruit companies that create new job growth and investment.
Talent Attraction: Promote the region as a top destination for talent to help sustain business growth.
Enhance Regional Brand: Generate awareness of our region’s assets to create positive perceptions.
Investors support KCADC as a private, non-profit organization serving the two-state, 18-county Kansas City region.
Strategic Initiatives
KCADC’s branded initiatives closely align with the KC region’s economic strengths.
KC SmartPort
Positions KC as a leading North American industrial and logistics hub.
51 industrial project wins since 2020
KC Animal Health Corridor
Grows and establishes KC as the global animal health capital.
600+ industry leaders attend annual
Global Summit
TeamKC
Promotes KC’s lifestyle to attract top talent for area companies and recruitment projects.
1,000+ interns engage in annual summer program
KC Global Design
Amplifies KC’s collective status as a top global architecture, engineering and construction market.
80+ A/E/C firms in the region have joined the effort
Team Members
Administration
Tim Cowden
President & CEO
816.591.1874
Jami Owens
Chief Financial Officer
Human Resources
816.797.9527
Dana Morris
Director, Finance & Human Resources
816.374.5651
Darcy Groce
Director of Office Operations +
Executive Assistant
816.374.5676
Business Development
Jill McCarthy
Senior Vice President
Corporate Attraction
816.591.1834
Cindy Brittain
Senior Director
Research
816.591.2306
Jacob Jennings
Manager, Research & Real Estate
913.333.8646
Cameron Wallace
Research Specialist
816.374.5653
Investor Relations
Jennifer Lyon
Vice President
Investor Relations & Marketing
816.591.1697
Maggie Smardo
Marketing Specialist
Investor Relations
816.929.9146
Marketing
Jonathan Knecht
Senior Vice President
Marketing & Creative Services
816.260.6960
Jauqui Craig
Senior Director of Experience
816.510.8759
Megan Segura
Senior Director
Market Intelligence + Technology Solutions
816.266.0268
Kara Brock
Director
Design
816.507.4074
Addie Linn
Senior Manager
Marketing & Creative Content
316.207.7580
Laura Phillips
Senior Manager
PR & Digital Communications
207.712.4517
Abby White
Marketing Specialist
Communications
816.585.4204
Chris Gutierrez
President
KC SmartPort
816.591.7311
Elli Houston
Vice President
KC SmartPort
913.579.3370
Josie Calkins
Director
KC SmartPort
913.708.0917
Mary Rooney
Marketing
KC SmartPort
913.488.1061
Kimberly Young
President
KC Animal Health Corridor
816.654.3617
Emily McVey
Vice President
KC Animal Health Corridor
816.522.6168
Danielle Hilton
Managing Director, TeamKC
816.591.5990
Maggie Smardo
Marketing Specialist
Investor Relations
816.929.9146
Ashley McDonald
Managing Director
KC Global Design
913.526.0298
Maggie Smardo
Marketing Specialist
Investor Relations
816.929.9146
Get Involved
Building Partnerships and Vision Together
Membership in KCADC is an investment in the KC region’s future. Partner with us to influence Kansas City’s growth, strengthen your corporate presence, build valuable relationships and stay ahead of what’s driving regional progress.
Jennifer Lyon
Vice President
Investor Relations & Marketing
Site Selection
Data & Resources
KCADC Newsroom
KCADC Events
About KCADC
© 2025 KCADC. All rights reserved.