March 14, 2014

Brad Cox, LSEDC Chairman, announced Jim Devine’s retirement today during a scheduled LSEDC Board of Directors meeting. Devine will retire on May 15, 2014.

Devine was recruited in 1999 while serving as Director of Economic Development for the City of Glendale, Arizona. He was the third professional economic developer to lead LSEDC since its formation in 1986. In 1999, Devine brought over 25 years experience to Lee’s Summit as well as national recognition to the community, having just been elected as the Chairman of the International Economic Development Council, the 5,000 member, professional economic development association based in Washington D.C.

According to Brad Cox, “Devine is a subject matter expert and strategic thinker who created proactive public/private initiatives to help position and reinforce Lee’s Summit as a prime location to attract new and existing business investment.”

Dr. Steve Cohen, President of Labor Management Advisory Group, will serve as interim Director and begin a national search for a replacement. Dr. Cohen is an experienced professional whose firm has acted as interim executive on many occasions. Over the past 20 years he has worked in government, health care, financial services, social services, retail services and in manufacturing. Dr. Cohen has a MA in Public Administration from Central Michigan University, an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology from Northern Illinois University, and received certification in Alternative Dispute Resolution from DePaul University, School of Law.