Latest news with #MarioVasquez
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Immigrant who ‘worked my ass off' is chosen to lead Kansas City government
Mario Vasquez is Kansas City's new city manager, overseeing a workforce of more than 4,000 and virtually every city service from the water and fire departments, the city's convention center, street maintenance and real estate development regulations and planning. Mayor Quinton Lucas announced his choice after an hour-long closed meeting on Thursday. The City Council then approved it by a vote of 11 to 2, awarding Vasquez an annual salary of $265,000. Only council members Darrell Curls and Ryana Parks Shaw voted no. 'After interviewing all qualified candidates, Mario Vasquez emerged as the clear choice to lead our city administration,' Lucas said in a prepared statement. 'His extensive experience in urban planning, economic development, and project management, combined with his 28-year dedication to Kansas City, made him the ideal candidate to guide our city forward.' Vasquez, 54, is the first Hispanic person to be named chief administrator in Kansas City's history. The city government he'll manage services roughly half a million people who live in the largest municipality in a metro area of more than 2 million. He replaces Brian Platt, whose four years as city manager were marked with both progress and controversy that led to his firing in March. Deputy City Manager Kimiko Black Gilmore has filled that role on an interim basis since Platt was suspended and was one of the three finalists for the job. Former Aviation Director and Assistant City Manager Patrick Klein was the other finalist. In his job interview, Vasquez impressed council members with his dedication to serving the community and his work ethic. 'In my role in as assistant city manager throughout I've gotten to meet a lot of different people with a lot of different skill sets, a lot of ability,' Vasquez said. He also said he believes in encouraging city staffers to set the kinds of goals he set at the beginning of his career. 'I was asked a question not long ago, 'how did you get to be the guy that people always look to for solutions?' I just said, I raised my hand, I worked my ass off, and that is what it takes,' Vasquez said. 'So I would also expect people to to do the same, you know, work hard — nothing, nobody, can take hard work away from you' During that interview, Vasquez choked up as he described seeing one of his former employees rise to fill one of his jobs. Vasquez was born in Bolivia and has spent his entire adult life and career in Kansas City. As a child, he and his family moved to Wisconsin during what he called 'a time of economic distress and turmoil' in their home country. He graduated from a suburban Madison, Wisconsin, high school in 1989. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1995 and a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996. Vasquez later also earned a master's degree in entrepreneurial real estate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2014. He began his career in government as an entry level planner for Kansas City in 1997 and was promoted to project manager in 2005. Over the next 17 years he worked on a range of projects including the city's purchase and redevelopment of the Linwood Shopping Center on the city's East Side. Vasquesz was promoted to be an assistant city manager in 2022 and last August was given the additional responsibility of becoming director of city planning and development. In his public job interview with the council last week, Vasquez emphasized the need for constant evaluation of staff roles and compensation, likening it to regular health check-ups. He highlighted Kansas City's fiscal challenges, including the need to renew the city's earnings tax next year, as it accounts for a large chunk of city government's revenues. He also said it's essential to renew the sales tax that funds the Central City Economic Development tax district, which he called 'the most incredible resource we have to promote investment' in city neighborhoods that need it. Vasquez also stressed the importance of public trust, transparency and honesty in rebuilding city departments' credibility. Among his first tasks would be to address immediate issues like the city's preparedness for hosting the World Cup next year. 'With respect to the World Cup, I think we feel somewhat unprepared,' he said. 'I think we have a liability with respect to that event if we don't perform as required.' Key to that preparation will be hiring someone soon to replace the director of the Office of Emergency Management, who recently retired. And the city will need to replace the fire chief, who is also nearing retirement, he said. Vasquez also discussed the need for equitable economic development, workforce development and regional cooperation to enhance the city's growth. The City Council fired Platt in late March after a jury in a whistleblower lawsuit awarded $930,000 to the city's former communications director, Chris Hernandez. That suit alleged that Platt saw no reason not to lie to the news media about the city's accomplishments, and council members said that stain on the city's reputation was one reason for voting unanimously to let him go. Gilmore, Vasquez and Klein all promised to be honest and transparent in their dealings with the community, employees and news media. Lucas conducted a limited, national search for Platt's replacement, because whomever got the job could only be promised to serve until a new mayor is elected and City Council seated at the end of the current term on Aug. 1, 2027. Lucas said 40 people applied for the job.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas City mayor, city council appoint new city manager
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City has named its next city manager. On Thursday, the Kansas City Council voted 11-2 to select Mario Vasquez to be the next city manager, just over a month after ousting Brian Platt. Downtown KC business owners demand action; mayor pushes back over text message dispute Vasquez currently serves as director of city planning and development and assistant city manager. According to his LinkedIn, Vasquez began his career with the City of Kansas City back in 1997. Last week, the City Council, along with Mayor Quinton Lucas, conducted public interviews with the three finalists for the position, which included Vasquez, Interim City Manager Kimiko Gilmore and Patrick Klein, the city's former aviation director. 'After interviewing all qualified candidates, Mario Vasquez emerged as the clear choice to lead our city administration,' Lucas said. 'His extensive experience in urban planning, economic development, and project management, combined with his 28-year dedication to Kansas City, made him the ideal candidate to guide our city forward.' See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Vasquez focused his interview on strengthening community partnerships. He also highlighted the importance of being present in neighborhoods and hearing directly from residents. In his current role as assistant city manager, he has overseen more than $600 million in public-private development initiatives and capital projects, according to the city. 'I am honored to be selected for the important position of city manager,' Vasquez said. 'Throughout my career, I have worked to bring people together, navigate diverse perspectives, build trust, and foster collaboration across departments and sectors. I know this community, its history, and its aspirations, and I am ready to guide Kansas City forward with purpose and resolve.' Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Vasquez will oversee all city departments and operations, manage a workforce of thousands of employees, and manage a multi-billion-dollar budget, according to Lucas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
KC Mayor Quinton Lucas, City Council provide update on City Manger
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With the , April 16, for the role of Kansas City City Manager, Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council have met to evaluate candidates. Jackson County residential property assessment to rise to 15% in 2025 The Mayor's office says that over forty internal and external candidates were reviewed, with three finalists being selected. Those finalists are: Kimiko Gilmore: Gilmore is the current interim City Manager in Kansas City and Director of Convention and Entertainment Facilities. According to the city's website, she's served the city for over 20 years in positions like Assistant City Manager and Deputy City Manager. Outside of KC, Gilmore has served as a US Senate Staffer and Chief of Staff for the University of Missouri. Mario Vasquez: Mario Vasquez is the current Director of City Planning and Development and Assistant City Manager. According to his LinkedIn, Vasquez began his career with the City of Kansas City back in 1997. Patrick Klein: Klein formerly served as the Director of Aviation in Kansas City before announcing his 2023 retirement at the KCI terminal ribbon-cutting. He's also a former Assistant City Manager (2012-2017). Klein has served the city for over 25 years. Now, the City Council will hold public interviews with each finalist on May 1 in their chambers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
