Our Founder & CEO, Jeff Hancock, has over 49 years of municipal experience. He has served as a city administrator, assistant city manager, budget officer, and manager of economic and development in cities with populations ranging from 7,700 to 495,000.​Mr. Hancock knows the benefits of interim work and has twice served as Interim City Manager/Administrator for the cities of Fayette and Fort Scott, Kansas, and as interim City Administrator for the City of St. James, Missouri. He has also served as Interim City Clerk for the City of Laurie, Missouri. Jeff has supervised financial management, human resources, marketing, strategic planning, economic development, airport construction and management, capital improvements, fire, parks and recreation, and community services to meet efficient and effective service delivery goals. He has shown active leadership in community and regional economic development efforts. He is a Life member of ICMA and Missouri City Management Association, former president of MCMA and Central Missouri Development Corporation, and board member of the Missouri Municipal League. He was active in Lake of the Ozarks Council of Governments, Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council, Johnson County Economic Development Corporation, and other economic agencies. Recognized with the 2009 Missouri Municipal League’s Innovation Award and the 2005 Missouri City Manager Award.

Jeana L Woods is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with an extensive background in public accounting, municipal finance, and city administration. Her career spans over two decades, showcasing her expertise in financial management, public accounting, administration, and municipal governance. Jeana began her career in public accounting after earning her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. She achieved her CPA designation, solidifying her expertise in financial accounting and reporting. She previously served the community of Osage Beach, Missouri, serving over twenty-two years in various positions in finance and administration, serving over ten years as the City Administrator. During her tenure at Osage Beach, she was committed to providing the highest level of financial and management integrity and transparency, maintaining her International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Credentialed Manager designation, and was responsible foroverseeing the city’s financial and management operations, policy development, economic development efforts, and earned several awards and designations for her expertise. These includedthe Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Award for the preparation of high-quality budget documents, the Missouri City/County Management Association (MCMA) Jay T. Bell Professional Management Award for her high standards of accomplishment, professionalism and ethical conduct, and numerous other commendations for her community involvement and key leadership roles on various boards and commissions. In addition, she has been a business owner and operator for many years, including her CPA practice in which she is committed to assisting her clients navigate complex financial regulations and financial and management strategies. She serves both the private and public sectors in optimizing financial and administrative management, and reporting. Jeana L Woods’ career as a CPA and city administration leader demonstrates her commitment to financial and management excellence and public service and is testament to the impact that skilled and dedicated professionals can have on organizations in both the private and public sectors, and the communities they serve.

Brett is an International City-County Management Association (ICMA) Credentialed Manager. He is a marginally Retired Manager, Governmental Consultant, Trust Administrator, and Management Accountant with BakerAndAssociates1.com. Brett grew up & was a Principal in his Family's long standing Western Nebraska Accounting Firm until he facilitated its sale to a Lincoln Nebraska Group in 2008. He has served Municipalities and Counties in the States of Kansas & Nebraska during his 25+ years public-sector career, including being presented the prestigious Nebraska 2011 Planning & Zoning Association (NPZA) Professional of the Year Award and leading two full terms as Nebraska State President for the Nebraska City-County Management Association (NCMA) in 2011 thru 2013. Brett also served Lancaster County/City of Lincoln Nebraska as a Deputy Director of Emergency Management to complement his 18-years of Fire & Rescue Service Commitment. Brett has served on the State League of Nebraska Municipalities Executive Board from September 2012 thru September 2015. He is a Charter Member of the Nebraska Community Energy Alliance serving as its State Treasurer. He has served on the Board of the Great Plains Trail Association and several other State & Local Service Boards. Brett administrates Conservatorships & Guardianships, performs Executive Searches, Interim City Transition-Troubleshooting Placements, Mentoring & Coaching, is a Classic Car Enthusiast-Collector along with being a Cancer Awareness Promoter and Survivor, along with his son, Kiernan.

Julianne Stone is the President of Stone Consulting. She specializes in work with public and non-profit sector clients navigating and facilitatingconversations and processes around strategic planning and implementation, priority- setting, designing and delivering, educational workshops, community outreach and engagement and collaborative partnership efforts. Stone has extensive experience working with local government officials, boards of directors and executive organizational leadership to identify and reach their goals. She also is an adjunct professor in public policy administration at University of Missouri-St. Louis teaching credit and non-credit courses in local government management, and economic development. Stone most recently served as the St. Louis Region, Regional Administrator for the Missouri Department of Conservation leading staff in 9 counties to ensure responsible resource management and that the St. Louis public has the opportunity to enjoy the region’s many natural assets. Previously Stone worked as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives of Bi-State Development (BSD). In this capacity, she focused on the development of community, municipal, corporate and foundation partnerships, as well as the creation and implementation of new community-facing policy-related and educational initiatives including the creation and management of the Regional Disability Transportation Resource Network. After leaving Bi-State Development, Stone spent time assisting the City Manager of the City of Hazelwood with special policy projects. She is active in the Midwest Chapter of the International Association of Public Participation.She spent 13 years as the Director of the Local Government Partnership (LGP), a program co-sponsored by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, the Center for Ethics in Public Life at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and the University’s Public Policy Administration Program. For many years, University of Missouri Extension was also a key partner. The LGP was designed to provide training, technical assistance, outreach and information to local government officials and their constituents, as well as students of local government in the bi-state region. She concurrently served as the Manager of Community Engagement and Local Government Services at East-West Gateway Council of Governments, leading the team responsible for developing, implementing and supporting the Agency’s public engagement efforts and outreach for its Regional Transportation Plans and Public Involvement Plan including all Title VI, LEP, EJ and ADA requirements. Stone was previously the Director of the St. Louis Urban Outreach Office of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This multi-issue, non-regulatory office provided St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County with focused policy, planning and technical outreach assistancein the fields of environmental quality, energy, historic preservation and parks and trails. She has also served as Policy Assistant to former St. Louis City Mayor Clarence Harmon, where she handled a wide range of local, state and federal policy issues including brownfields redevelopment and other urban environmental programs. Stone began her career in government working in Washington D.C. for a lobbying organization focused on U.S.-Middle East policy. Stone holds a Master of Arts and is ABD in Political Science from Washington University. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Oberlin College.

Ewell Lawson is a skilled public sector and utility industry leader with over three decades of experience in utilities, government, and association management. He has served in key leadership roles supporting all levels of government, from local municipalities to national associations, federal service, and academic institutes. His utility experience stems from working directly with over 120 municipal utilities to improve management and service delivery. Lawson has a record of success in policy development, strategic planning, and advocacy. He has successfully navigated complex regulatory landscapes and advanced both public governance and utility sector interests. Throughout his career, he has served in key leadership roles guiding strategic business initiatives, operations, and public policy development. His expertise includes: Organizational Leadership: Driving strategic initiatives, fostering collaboration, and managing diverse teams. Utility Management: Leading municipal utility providers in delivering essential services like electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater, and broadband. Government Affairs: Advising on legislative and regulatory matters, lobbying, and building relationships with policymakers. Lawson's commitment to public service and sound policy development is recognized nationally. He has received numerous awards, including the Alan Richardson Statesmanship Award from the American Public Power Association and recognition from the National Coalition for Local Internet Choice for his broadband policy advocacy. He served on the APPA Board of Directors from 2015-2018, playing a significant role in advancing utility sector interests. Lawson complements his consulting with work with CEO and business leadership coaching and operational management for an academic institute on energy policy. With a Master of Public Administration from the Truman School of Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in political science, both from the University of Missouri, he combines both academic rigor with practical experience. A proud parent of two grown children, Lawson is married to Dr. Shari Lawson, a professor of educational leadership at Columbia College. When not immersed in utility policy or his consulting and leadership coaching practice, he enjoys genealogy, history, outdoor activities, and service to his church.

Bob co-founded Smart Solutions Group (SSG) in 2001 and since its founding SSG has served over 550 clients in over 30 states. Prior to starting SSG, Bob served for over 15 years as the Business Development and Marketing Director for the State of Iowa Department of Economic Development and for about one year as Acting Director of the Department. He managed the state's nationally recognized business development, marketing, financial assistance, entrepreneurial services, and prospect/project management programs. Bob has over 40 years of direct economic development experience. SSG focuses on customized strategic planning, organizational strategy (mergers and alliances), executive searches for economic development organizations, technology support services and site selection and economic development project consultation. Bob has managed hundreds of strategy projects in all sizes of communities, counties, regions, and states throughout the U.S. SSG has developed EDC Forge, a CRM and BRE management software tool that is utilized by economic development organizations, cities, counties and states throughout the country.

Jacquelyn is dedicated to helping local governments improve operational effectiveness through good governance and streamlined processes. She has been a project director and staff member on myriad projects to create strategic plans, facilitate community engagement, improve development review processes, and implement performance metrics, through detailed organizational assessment and application of best practices. She is adept at strategic planning, process improvement, benchmarking, performance management, training and development and focus group facilitation. She is a skilled civic engagement and group process facilitator and has served various civic and professional groups in this capacity. Jacquelyn has successfully assisted over 40 jurisdictions improve and streamline development permitting functions and processes resulting in enhanced workflow, communication, and use of technology to speed the issuance of construction permits. Jacquelyn has more than 25 years of experience in local government management. She is a member of the American Planning Association, the International City/County Management Association, and the American Institute of Certified Planners.

David W. Johnston, ICMA-CM is a credentialed manager with the International City/County Management Association. His 40-year career in public service started by managing two agencies for the State of Indiana. He then shifted his focus to the management of two not-for-profit organizations. For the last 29 years David has served as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for six diverse communities in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky and Washington, with populations ranging from 4,500 to 170,000. His career highlights include: - Leading major redevelopment efforts including: - Negotiated environmental remediation agreements with the US Air Force, FAA and EPA to create a shovel-ready intermodal project on a closed Air Force base. - Negotiated the development of two shopping centers, improving the local tax base. - Directed the master planning process of the Central Covington Riverfront Project, now viewed as The Gem redevelopment project in the Cincinnati metro area. - Represented the local government in negotiations with the State of Kansas and the Kansas City Chiefs for the relocation of the Chief’s stadium to Kansas City, Kansas. - Was a member of the Board of Directors for the FIFA KC2026 World Cup, Kansas City. In internal issues of local government: David evaluated financial management and budgeting policies and significantly improved Moody Bond ratings in two communities and reduced annual audit findings. He reduced bureaucratic barriers and departmental silos to improve customer service and internal efficiencies; developed succession planning, compensation reviews and active recruiting efforts; developed attainable visions to optimize cities’ business and economic health for sustainable futures; recommended and planned strategy for key property annexations; developed master plans for land use leading to strategic capital improvement investments; negotiated acquisition of a privately-owned water & sewer district; developed guidance for collective bargaining with labor unions; brought the integration of fiber optics and expanded free WIFI to poorer neighborhoods for virtual learning of students; and directed efforts to address the reuse of blighted properties and issues related to poverty. David’s leadership approach creates an environment of trust among staff, city leaders and residents. He recognizes the importance of forming key partnerships with the private sector and key community stakeholders to address local issues. His work has been recognized with the following awards: - One of the 50 Transformative Smart Initiatives in The World - 2021 for the Connect Wi-Fi Community Project of Covington, KY, by Smart Cities Connect - IEDC 2021 Bronze Award for Neighborhood & Retail Development for Covington, KY’s Small Business Assistance Program, started in 2017 - City of the Year Award 2020-2021 for Covington, KY, by the Kentucky League of Cities - 10 Designations from various business publications as a “Desired Place to Live, Work and Conduct Business” for Maple Valley, WA - 2013 WCMA Award for Skills in Intergovernmental Cooperation David holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from Indiana University, with a concentration in Urban and Regional Planning, and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame. He also earned a Certificate in Economic Development from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. He is active with various municipal management associations and economic development groups.

Ashley is a certified HR professional (Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), Certified Benefits Professional (CBP), SHRM- CP and PHR) with over seventeen years of experience in compensation, HRIS, recruiting, employee relations, training and development, payroll, and benefits administration. She has taught undergraduate and graduate HR courses including compensation management for the last nine years and enjoys being a mentor to others looking to get into the field. Her background includes working in the financial sector, automotive, retail and most recently, municipal experience in the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ashley has most recently worked the last ten years leading the compensation department at the City of Ann Arbor and has served as the interim HR & Labor Relations Director, as needed.

Stephen Rasmussen is from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and graduated from the US. Air Force Academy. He took his Regular Commission in the US Army and became an Airborne Ranger and served three tours of duty in Vietnam. After returning to the United States, he was a Company Commander, a Battalion Commander and a Brigade Commander. As a Full Colonel he was the Chief of Operations for the US Army in South America and then the Garrison Commander of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Following his retirement from active duty, he chose a second career in city management, serving first as the Assistant City Administrator in Maryland Heights, Missouri, then City Administrator in Ottumwa, Iowa , and then the City Administrator for Jefferson City, Missouri. Following this, he became the Interim City Administrator in Fairview Heights, Illinois, and then the Assistant City Manager and Acting City Manager in Bloomington, Illinois. He then returned to Missouri where he became the City Manager in Cameron and served there for over six years. Following this, he retired from city management after 26 years in the profession. He now works with Interim Solutions, recruiting interim City Managers and available to also serve himself as an interim manager.

Marty Corcoran became Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Bridgeton in 1976, serving in that position for approximately two years before becoming the City Administrator for the City of Bridgeton where he served for six years. In September of 1983, he accepted a position with his hometown of Maplewood, Missouri as City Manager and remained in that position for 36 years. During Mr. Corcoran's tenure as City Manager of the City of Maplewood, he has been instrumental in bringing stability and respectability back to local government, providing a sound fiscal basis for municipal operations and was instrumental in major redevelopment projects including the 62-acre Sunnen Business Industrial Park, the Sam’s Club, Walmart and Lowes and Schlafly Bottleworks Brewery and Restaurant. The Walmart project was completed without Tax Increment Financing. Mr. Corcoran has also served as President of the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees, Past President of the St. Louis Area City Management Association, Past President of the Missouri City Managers Association, Past President of the Missouri Tax Increment Financing Association and was instrumental in forming three self-insurance pools for municipalities to reduce the cost of insurance for local governments. He has been in the forefront when it comes to consolidating and sharing municipal services. Mr. Corcoran, his wife Patricia reside in Maplewood.

Chicago native, Scot Wrighton, is an independent governance consultant, trainer and occasional author. His career is dedicated to resourceful public management and effective governance. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Government from Sterling College, in Sterling, Kansas; a Master’s degree in History from the University of Hawaii; and a Master’s in Public Administration (city management) from the University of Kansas. He has worked in the field of government management for more than 40 years, in Kansas, Georgia, Missouri, the Republic of India, and Illinois, more than 30 of these years as a city manager. Wrighton’s consulting specialties include strategic planning, organizational development, executive coaching, designing and implementing governance and structural change, teaching government ethics concepts and strategies, and local government performance management and measurement. From 2003 to 2009, Scot served on the faculty of the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. In this capacity he taught government courses, and provided local governance consulting services to elected and appointed officials in the United States, and abroad. From 2009 to 2014, Scot served as city manager of new private city built from scratch in Maharashtra, India; it was intended to serve as a model of how new urban areas can be created and governed in South Asia as a response to the rapid urbanization of India. From 2014 to 2019, Scot served as city manager of Streator, Illinois; and from 2019 to 2024 he was city manager of Decatur, Illinois. Scot has published several articles and a book on effective local government supervision. Most of his publications concern the management, governance and sustainable development of the public sector. In 2023 he authored and published Article Five: Repairing American Government Amid Debilitating Partisan Strife (EBL Publishing).

Chief Ray Johnson (Ret.) dedicated more than 50 years to public safety, serving as Chief of Police for the City of Chesterfield from its incorporation in 1988 until his retirement in 2024. He built the department from the ground up, overseeing more than 100 employees and a $12 million budget. His leadership roles also included Chief of Police in Cape Girardeau and Director of Public Safety in Des Peres, where he began his career in 1970. Chief Johnson holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Webster University and completed executive training through the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Police. A past president of multiple police associations, he also served as a CALEA Commissioner from 2013 to 2022. Among his many honors, he was named the Missouri Police Chiefs Association’s 2001 Police Chief of the Year.

Kori is an Administrative Assistant with a diverse background in administration, office management, program coordination, and organizational operations. Through her work in both the public and private sectors, she has developed expertise in administrative support, project coordination, client relations, and operational efficiency. Known for her strong organizational skills and commitment to service, Kori is dedicated to supporting teams, building relationships, and helping organizations achieve their goals.

Edward Beasley III brings extensive experience in municipal management, organizational leadership, economic development, public-private partnerships, and community engagement. Throughout his career, he has served public-sector, nonprofit, and private-sector organizations, leading complex initiatives involving government operations, infrastructure, economic development, organizational improvement, and community relations. He currently serves as President of Beasley Associates LLC, providing consulting services to government and private-sector organizations on major projects, infrastructure, and project management. Ed previously served as City Manager for the City of Glendale, Arizona, where he was responsible for overseeing city operations, working closely with the City Council, and managing an organization with an approximately $538 million budget and more than 1,800 full-time and temporary employees. During his tenure, he led major economic-development initiatives, organizational improvements, infrastructure projects, strategic partnerships, and efforts to strengthen the City’s financial and operational performance. His career also includes service as Interim City Manager for the City of Ferguson, Missouri, where he worked with elected officials, community stakeholders, and the U.S. Department of Justice during a critical period of transition for the community. In addition to his municipal leadership experience, Ed has served as Vice President of Development and Marketing for the Greater Phoenix Urban League, President of Elevate Phoenix, and Vice President of Government Solutions with Colliers International. His work has included economic empowerment, community development, strategic planning, youth services, government relations, and the development of major public-private projects. Ed holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri–Kansas City’s L.P. Cookingham Institute of Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in Arts–Political Science/Business Law from Loyola University New Orleans. He has also completed professional training in mediation, arbitration, and dispute resolution and has maintained involvement with the International City/County Management Association and other civic and professional organizations.