~ The City of Springfield has appointed Steve Childers as its new Planning & Development Director, effective Jan. 2, 2024. Childers currently serves as the city administrator of Ozark, Missouri, a position he has held since 2007. He was also Ozark's first planning director prior to his role as city administrator.

Childers brings 25 years of experience in local government to the role, including 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 holds a master's degree in public planning, geography and management from Missouri State University and a bachelor of science degree in organizational communication.

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"I am extremely proud of the progress made in the City of Ozark during my time as City Administrator," said Childers. "However after nearly 20 years of serving this wonderful community it is time for the next phase of my career. I look forward to bringing my experience and educational background in planning to the City of Springfield and advancing the goals of its newly adopted 'Forward Springfield' Plan."

As Planning Director for Springfield Childers will supervise a team of 25 employees and serve as principal advisor to the City Manager as well as other community stakeholders while directing preparation and maintenance for the City's Master Plan Forward SGF.

City Manager Jason Gage expressed his enthusiasm for Childer's appointment: "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." Gage also thanked Brendan Griesemer for serving as interim director while the search was underway: "He has served the City well."

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