City Hall undergoes staff reshuffling
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- St. Joseph residents will notice some new faces at City Hall, as well as familiar faces in new roles, following a recent staff reorganization effort.
One notable change will see the promotion of Dawn Lanning from finance director to assistant city manager. Lanning has been with the city since 2000 and will play a key role in project management alongside City Manager Mike Schumacher.
"Funds get allocated for projects by council and then they've done their part. We need to make sure that on the staff level, we're doing our part, as well as making sure that this office is able to support departments and what they're trying to get done," Schumacher said. "I look very forward to working with her."
Filling Lanning's position as finance director will be Nicole Poirier, a former forensic auditor with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Communications and Community Engagement Director Mary Robertson will become manager of St. Joseph's Civic Arena, Missouri Theater and Remington Nature Center following the retirement of Civic Facilities Manager Kathy Brock, a stalwart of the city for the last 45 years.
Robertson also will work as a liaison between the city and Downtown.
"Adding staff to really focus on our relationships Downtown and how we can partner and help Downtown be even more successful," Schumacher said. "I am all about Downtown."
Longtime News-Press NOW newsroom leader Jessica Kozol has been hired to fill the city's communications and community engagement role.
Josh Royle, formerly with Buchanan County government, has been tapped as the city's new director of information technology, a key area of focus, Schumacher said.
Information technology will now become a standalone department.
"That's the backbone of the entire organization ... an area that we really want to focus on," Schumacher added. "The security of our operations is really key."
A series of high-profile cyber attacks in recent years on businesses and city governments across the country -- largely by foreign criminal networks -- has enhanced the spotlight on cybersecurity and upgraded IT systems.
