About KCADC

Who We Are

Ranked among the nation’s top economic development organizations, the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) drives strategic growth for the OneKC region. As KC’s leading sales and marketing team, KCADC showcases the region’s business strengths and exceptional quality of life to companies and talent worldwide.

In partnership with 50+ communities across two states and 18 counties, we position OneKC as a single, competitive region — working together to win on the global stage.

MISSION: Engage the world to invest in the OneKC region.

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.

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Corporate and community investors support KCADC as a private, non-profit organization serving the two-state, 18-county Kansas City region.

Our Impact

This snapshot highlights companies recruited to the KC region over the past five years, thanks to investors whose support makes this work possible.

Companies

Jobs

Million in Wages

$ 0 +

Billion in Capital Investment

$ 0

Billion in Regional Economic Impact

$ 0

Strategic Initiatives

KCADC’s branded initiatives closely align with the KC region’s economic strengths.

Positions KC as a leading North American industrial and logistics hub.

Grows and establishes KC as the global animal health capital.

Promotes KC’s lifestyle to attract top talent for area companies and recruitment projects.

Amplifies KC’s collective status as a top global architecture, engineering and construction market.

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

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

Kimberly Young

President
KC Animal Health Corridor
816.654.3617

Emily McVey

Vice President
KC Animal Health Corridor
816.522.6168

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

Ashley McDonald

Managing Director
KC Global Design
913.526.0298

Danielle Hilton

Managing Director
TeamKC
816.591.5990

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

Kimberly Young

President
KC Animal Health Corridor
816.654.3617

Emily McVey

Vice President
KC Animal Health Corridor
816.522.6168