FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Manager Jason Gage has named Steve Childers as the City of Springfield’s 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 has 25 years of experience leading various aspects of local government including the areas of 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 has a master’s degree in public planning, geography and management from Missouri State University and a bachelor of science degree in organizational communication.
“I am extremely proud of the progress made in the City of Ozark during my time as City Administrator. However, after nearly 20 years of serving this wonderful community, it is time for the next phase of my career,” Childers said. “I look forward to bringing my experience, insights, and educational background in planning to the City of Springfield. I look forward to advancing the goals of the City of Springfield's newly adopted ‘Forward Springfield’ Plan. I look forward to serving in a leadership position responsible for moving Springfield forward, as I am truly excited for this opportunity to serve as the Director of Planning and Development.”
Springfield’s Planning Director supervises a team of 25 employees and serves as principal advisor to the City Manager as well as other community stakeholders and directs the preparation and maintenance for the City’s Master Plan, Forward SGF.
“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,” said City Manager Jason Gage. “We also wish to thank Brendan Griesemer for serving as interim director while the search for a new director was underway. He has served the City well”
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For more information, contact Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement, at 417-380-3352 or [email protected].