David Warm, for 30 years Executive Director of the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), was named the KC Chamber’s 2020 “Kansas Citian of the Year” at the KC Chamber’s Annual Dinner Tuesday.
“It is exciting that a regional planning commission Executive Director receives such great recognition,” said Linda Conner, MACOG President & Executive Director of the Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local governments. “MARC is a key member of the Missouri Association of Councils of Government (MACOG) and the support David and his organization provides to the KC region is a strong example of what RPCs do across the state.”
“I’ve worked with David for many years,” said Joe Reardon, President & CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber. “He’s someone who works quietly and effectively, eschewing the spotlight and letting the work speak for itself. By naming him Kansas Citian of the Year, we’re shining that spotlight firmly on him and the long-term, positive impact he’s had on our region.”
As the council of governments for Greater Kansas City, MARC leads key regional services and planning initiatives and is widely regarded for innovation and effectiveness in areas that include transportation, environmental protection, emergency management, aging and community services, early education, workforce development and local government cooperative services.
Prior to joining MARC, David was the city administrator in Liberty, Missouri, and he also served in administrative positions with the city of Kansas City, Missouri. A native Californian, David earned a B.A. degree in political science and economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of California, Riverside.
David is active in many civic groups and initiatives, including serving on the boards of area non-profit agencies addressing healthcare, education and community development, as well as the Hall Family Foundation. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and, in 2015, he was recognized with a National Public Service Award from the American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration.