Our Team

PRESIDENT

Brien M. Starner

Brien’s professional economic development career spans more than three decades holding executive and senior management positions in public, private, corporate utility, and public/private organizations, and Brien currently serves as President of RideKC Development Corporation.

Brien holds a Bachelor of Arts from William Jewell College with majors in Public Administration & Political Science, with professional education including his Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation bestowed by the International Economic Development Council, and completion of coursework from the Institute for Organization Management from Notre Dame and awarded by the US Chamber of Commerce. Brien is currently a graduate student at the University of Missouri-Columbia in the Master of Public Affairs program.

Brien’s role includes launching and scaling new economic development strategies, policies, board and corporate entity tools and programs to focus on growing Ridership, Relationships, and Revenues through activities that include Transit Oriented Development. RideKC Development Corporation’s work now includes building Public-Private Partnerships for projects like: 3rd and Grand, 10 Miles of Prospect and Troost Avenues, and dozens of other exploratory development projects.

Michael Riley

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

As the Director of Development, Michael brings more than 10 years of experience in government, community relations and public affairs initiatives.

Most recently, Michael was the Government Affairs Manager at Unite Private Networks, where he spent four years facilitating relationships with key government entities, performing market research and financial analysis, among other key roles.

Prior to that, he was a Public Policy Coordinator at The Whole Person, a Regional Advocacy Coordinator at the Missouri Association of REALTORS and early in his career, was a Community Affairs Liaison for the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Pre-Law Emphasis from Kansas State University.

PRESIDENT & CEO, KCATA

Frank White III

While transitioning into the role of CEO at KCATA, Frank will continue to advocate for RKCDC efforts and support current projects, while also overseeing KCATA's mission to connect people to opportunities.

Frank has a track record of success. Among other titles and accolades, he has been a VP of an insurance brokerage valued at over 500 million dollars, a four-time award-winning Chief Marketing Officer of a transit agency, an owner and founder of an insurance brokerage, and a high-performing sales and marketing professional.

Frank holds a Bachelor of General Studies in Psychology from the University of Kansas. Since joining the KCATA in March of 2016, Frank won three First Place AdWheel Awards in marketing and was selected to attend and graduate from the prestigious Eno Transit Senior Executive Program Class of 2019.

Frank’s roles include an emphasis on workforce development, job access, and public policy advisory, which include working with key business, civic, and community stakeholders. He's a strong advocate for riders across the region and believes in the power of transportation oriented development.

RKCDC Board Members

Daniel Serda, Chairman Transition Committee, KCATA Commissioner
Pastor Jason Sims Mt., KCATA Commissioner
Jim Roy, Transition Committee
Kenneth T. Bacchus
Alicia R. Dickens, Ph.D.
Anne Post
Myron McCant
Steve Arbo
Simone Curls
Linda Ell Clark

Extended Team

Dennis Strait and Graham Smith, MultiStudio

Chris Sally, Iconic Development

Herb Hardwick and Allison Bergman, Hardwick Law Firm

Kevin Klinkenberg, Midtown KC Now

Jerry Riffel, Lathrop & Gage LLP

Terri Barr-Moore, Director of Government Relations, KCATA

Community Partners

Keystone Innovation District

Urban Neighborhoods Initiative

Community Builders KC

Downtown Council

Evergy

LISC KC

Full Employment Council

Palestine Economic Development Corporation

Prospect Business Association

MidtownKC Now

Oak Park Neighborhood Association

Marlborough Community Coalition

Ivanhoe Neighborhood Association

Key Coalition Inc

Santa Fe Neighborhood Association