EDCKC President and CEO Tracey Lewis said the decision was not linked to any scandal or individual performance. While the business development team was removed, 18 employees remain in other roles, and the organization plans to shift from its prior team structure to new job assignments.
Instead of replacing the three business development staff members, EDCKC plans to hire three new team leads focused on specific parts of Kansas City, including the Northland, East Side, South Kansas City, Downtown and the Plaza. Lewis said the new positions will be posted soon and that the leads will work more closely with members of the Kansas City Council.
Kansas City Councilman Crispin Rea said he was caught off guard by the changes, learning about the restructuring on Thursday morning, and is seeking additional information about staffing and how the organization will operate moving forward.