Tim Cowden
The Kansas City Area Development Council has named a new leader today after Bob Marcusse announced last week that he will retire January 31, 2016. The Board of Directors of KCADC announced today named Tim Cowden as president, effective immediately. By February 1, 2016, he will also assume the title of CEO. The board has also named Martin Mini as chief marketing officer.
“I am excited and inspired by today’s announcement,” said Cowden. “There is no one I respect more in this business than Bob Marcusse and I’m honored to take over the wheel in driving regional economic development success for the KC region.” Cowden joined the KCADC in 1998 following roles in economic development for Wichita Falls, Texas, and Salt Lake City, Utah. Since 2000, Cowden has been senior vice president of business development — a title he held until today.
Bob Marcusse
Under Cowden’s leadership, KCADC’s business development team has “fortified an 18-county, two-state partnership leading to the attraction of 30,000 new jobs and the formation of industry-focused growth initiatives for transportation and logistics (KC SmartPort), animal health (KC Animal Health Corridor), technology (KCnext) and talent attraction (TeamKC),” the organization said in a release.
“Bob Marcusse has built a great foundation of economic growth for our region and I am very excited to kick off a new era of leadership at KCADC,” said Rosana Privitera Biondo, president of Mark One Electric Company and incoming KCADC co-chair. Marcusse announced his retirement as president and CEO on October 29, but will remain in his role until January 31, and afterward will continue to serve KCADC in a consulting role until later in the year.
KCADC serves the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area by marketing the region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies around the world. Working closely with its 50+ state, county and community partners and its more than 250 corporate partners across the region, KCADC has attracted companies pledging to create more than 60,000 new jobs over its 40-year history. KCADC also leads the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, KCnext and TeamKC. Visit thinkkc.com for more information.