FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Assistant City Attorney III Sarah Kerner will join the City of Springfield’s Planning and Development department as interim Economic Development director effective Oct. 4. While serving in her new position, Kerner will retain her job classification as assistant city attorney while she receives additional training and participates in the City’s career laddering program before transitioning to the Economic Development director position. Kerner has served in a number of roles as an assistant city attorney for the City of Springfield since 2007, including representation of the departments of Planning and Development, Public Works, Health, Information Systems and the Springfield-Branson National Airport. Before joining the City, Kerner was an associate attorney for Ellis, Ellis, Hammons and Johnson, PC. Kerner received both her law and undergraduate degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Springfield Class 31 and an active volunteer in her church and community groups. “Sarah has demonstrated that she has a solutions-oriented attitude and understands the importance of collaboration and innovation in economic development initiatives. I am confident she will excel in this position,” says Planning and Development Director Mary Lilly Smith. ### For more information, contact: Mary Lilly Smith, Director of Planning & Development, 417-864-1094.