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.

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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.

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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.

VICE PRESIDENT

Frank White III

Frank is a senior executive with a 25-year track record of success. Among other titles and accolades, White 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 currently serves as vice president development at RideKC Development Corporation.

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

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Frank’s role includes an emphasis on workforce development., job access, and public policy advisory, which included working with key business, civic, and community stakeholders. Taking an active role in transportation, Workforce development, and real estate development committees throughout the region.

Speaking Engagements

Past Events

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Sept 8: Builder's Association 

• Topic: Downtown KC Development & the Future of KCMO

• Panelists: Brian Platt, Jay Copaken, Michael Collins, and Amy Eckhoff

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Sept 9: Governor's Economic Development Conference

• Topic: Transit Oriented Development & how it can foster city building 

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Sept 10: Civic Council of Greater KC, KC Tomorrow

• Topics: Transportation and economic development & panel moderator on regional transportation with John Murphy

• Panelists: Robbie Makinen, Tom Gerend, Chris Gutierrez, Jon Stephens, and Melissa Robinson

Oct 13, 20 & 21: Urban Land Institute's Technical Assistance Panel

• Topic: Best uses for land parcels owned by the City of Westwood

Oct 28, 29: MO Economic Development Financing Conference

• Topic: Transportation and economic development 

Interested in having us speak at your event?

Board Members

Daniel Serda, Chairman 

David Bower, Vice Chairman 

Keith A Cutler, Secretary and Treasurer

Sean O’Byrne

Jim Roy

Kenneth T. Bacchus

Alicia R. Hooks, Ph.D.

Jim Allen

Michael Graham 

Extended Team

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