The City of Springfield announced the retirements of two longtime leaders in December. Springfield-Greene County Park Board Director Bob Belote and Interim Director of Planning & Development Brendan Griesemer will both retire in mid-January after 20 and 27 years of service, respectively.
Bob Belote retirement
Belote became the Park Board’s director in April 2012, having previously served as assistant director and superintendent of recreation. Belote also managed parks departments in other communities.
“Our parks here are very personal for our residents, as they provide a real sense of renewal, hope and pride,” he said. “I know this from the way our parks and outdoor spaces helped develop me as a kid growing up here in Springfield, as well as the continued impact they’ve had on my family, as our children have experienced them growing up. It’s a really special park system, with a really special team in place to help manage it. It’s truly been my honor and privilege to be a part of it for all these years.”
Belote grew up playing in Sequiota Park, took part in youth sports programs and met his future wife, Deana, while they both worked as part-time Park Board employees. He said leading the Park Board in his hometown has been the pinnacle of his career, in part because of how the community responds to its parks.
“Speaking for the board, we’ve all been very impressed with Bob’s professionalism and dedication, his passion for parks, and his relentless energy and ability to look ahead,” said Randy Blackwood, Park Board chair. “Bob is leaving tremendously big shoes to fill, but our parks system has taken a positive trajectory during his tenure as parks director, and we are in a position to use that blueprint for even greater success.”=
City Manager Jason Gage will name an interim director as the search for a permanent replacement for Belote begins.
Planning & Development staff changes
In his nearly three-decade tenure, Griesemer contributed to both the City organization and the community through his planning work.
In 2022, Griesemer achieved the highest national honor in the planning profession and became only the fourth planner in Missouri to be inducted into the prestigious College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners. He previously served in various planning capacities for the City of Nixa, the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, the City of Shawnee, Kansas and the Kansas Department of Transportation.
“I had the privilege and honor to work for the City for 27 years and it’s time to close this chapter as I look forward to writing the next chapter in my career,” Griesemer said. “I am excited about Steve Childers taking over the leadership of the department and am disappointed that I will not have an opportunity to work with him. I wish him and the entire team the best of luck.”
Childers became the City of Springfield’s Planning & Development director Jan. 2 after serving as the city administrator of Ozark, a position he held since 2007. He was also Ozark’s first planning director prior to his role as city administrator.
Childers has 25 years of experience leading various aspects of local government including the areas of administration, finance/budgeting, employee advancement, project management, land development, planning, zoning, development review, building code enforcement, and economic development.
Prior to his work at the City of Ozark, Childers served as a planning/zoning manager for American Tower Corporation in Chicago. He has a master’s degree in public planning, geography and management from Missouri State University and a bachelor of science degree in organizational communication.
“I am extremely proud of the progress made in the City of Ozark during my time as city administrator. However, after nearly 20 years of serving this wonderful community, it is time for the next phase of my career,” Childers said. “I look forward to bringing my experience, insights, and educational background in planning to the City of Springfield. I look forward to advancing the goals of the City of Springfield’s newly adopted Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan. I look forward to serving in a leadership position responsible for moving Springfield forward.”
Childers will supervise a team of 25 Planning & Development employees and serve as a principal advisor to the City manager, as well as to other community stakeholders, and direct the preparation and maintenance of the City’s Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan.
“Steve has the proven ability to effectively work and communicate with a diverse group of individuals including public officials, developers, design professionals and community at large, as well as experience in establishing a vision for an organization. We are thrilled to have him join our team at the City of Springfield,” said City Manager Jason Gage. “We also wish to thank Brendan Griesemer for serving as interim director while the search for a new director was underway. He has served the City well.”
Hanna Knopf has been reassigned from Planning’s development review team and promoted to senior planner, filling Alana Owen’s vacant position. Owen was promoted to the role of principal planner and is taking on more duties with the Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan.
“Hanna has assumed Alana’s responsibilities and will be the City’s resident neighborhood planner and recognized neighborhood liaison to all registered neighborhood organizations,” said Principal Planner Randall Whitman.
Knopf will work closely with Becky Volz and the Neighborhood Advisory Council to schedule and plan upcoming NAC meetings, as well as administer all City neighborhood programs for the City.
“We are excited about Hanna’s interest and ambition to see neighborhood revitalization in Springfield reach new heights. Hanna’s contact information is hanna.knopf@springfieldmo.gov or 417-864-1188 for future reference,” Whitman said.
New City attorney
Jordan L. Paul joined the City as City attorney effective Jan. 2. Most recently, Paul has served as the city attorney for Neosho and as assistant city attorney for Joplin. Prior to joining municipal government, Paul was in private civil practice in Joplin. He replaces Rhonda Lewsader, who retired.
“We are very excited to announce the hiring of Jordan. He is from southwest Missouri, is very bright and has solid municipal law experience. We are very excited for Jordan to become a part of our leadership team,” City Manager Jason Gage said.
The City attorney assists the City Council, City management and all City departments with matters of municipal law and represents the city in all legal matters including civil actions brought by or against the city. Ordinances and resolutions that come before the City Council are routinely written by the legal staff. The Law Department employs 20 people.
“I’m honored to have been selected to the position of great public trust and look forward to working with Jason and the City Council on the important work of the City moving forward,” Paul said.
Paul is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law and has been selected as a Missouri and Kansas Rising Star in the areas of civil litigation and real estate by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters distinction that utilizes peer review and selects less than 2.5% of attorneys. He is a member of the International Municipal Lawyers Association and Missouri Municipal Attorneys Association.
New development project facilitator
Samantha Payne joined the City as development project facilitator Nov. 6, 2024. She replaced Danny Perches, who became assistant director of Economic Vitality.
Payne oversees the progress of various development projects and collaborates directly with developers, designers and contractors to streamline the City’s development review process.
The development project facilitator position operates as an extension of the City Manager’s Office. Payne brings a wealth of experience to this role, having previously served as the deputy city manager for the City of Ozark. In that capacity, she played a crucial role in facilitating and directing project management across various departments. Notable achievements include managing the Governor’s Cost Share grant for the $3.2 million McCracken Bridge Revitalization Project and overseeing Missouri’s inaugural Community Forest Program grant from the U.S. Forest Service.
Prior to her deputy city manager role, Payne held positions as the public information officer and parks and recreation director for the City of Ozark. Her academic background includes a master of business administration from William Woods University and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Evangel University.
“I am thrilled to embark on this role as the development project facilitator, an integral extension of the City Manager’s Office. The opportunity to immerse myself in the dynamic world of development projects, collaborating directly with developers, designers, and contractors, fuels my excitement. Together, we will navigate the intricate landscape of the City’s development review process, ensuring efficiency and progress at every turn. Let’s build a future that reflects the vision and vibrancy of our community!”