Board of Directors

Bill Rogers

Executive Director

Bill is a life-long resident of the Fairmount area in Independence. His educational opportunities led him to Texas and Oregon before returning home to Missouri and Fairmount. He recently retired from the Local Investment Commission (LINC) after serving as supervisor for the 18 Caring Community sites in Independence. He worked with LINC for 15 years. Bill became the Executive Director of NWCDC in July 2009. He served as the founding President of the NWCDC and the Fairmount Plaza Apartments.

Jim Reynolds

Board President

Jim has been a resident of Independence for over 30 years. He is a retired Federal employee, currently serving as the Pastorial Associate at St. Ann's and St. Cyril's Parishes. Jim has been a proud member of the NWCDC Board since 2002.

Fred Mills

Board Vice President

Retiring after a career spanning just over 40 years in law enforcement, seemed like a good idea to Fred, with time to simply kick back and not do much else but enjoy life. While it was a good plan, when asked about volunteering with NWCDC; working with the Fairmount Community Center and their many other projects, it didn’t take long for him to answer that question. Having been raised in western Independence, helping his hometown and in particular the neighborhood he called home until his career took him away, seemed like a “responsibility.” It wasn’t an obligation or a “have to”, but a responsibility and welcomed opportunity to give back to an area that gave him so much when he was growing up. While the oldest children do not live in the area, their youngest, and only daughter, and their granddaughter live in Independence. Having the girls in town gives additional importance to working with an organization whose focus is making the lives of our residents just a little better and ensuring Independence remains a great place to call home.

Mark Gunter

Board Treasurer

Mark Gunter is Controller for Greater KC LINC, Inc (the Local Investment Commission), a wide-ranging community collaborative which is gaining national interest and attention for its initiatives concerning welfare-to-work and neighborhood governance. LINC has been a close partner with NWCDC since its inception due to the synergy of their respective missions.

Gunter came to LINC in 2000 after 16 years of consistently increasing operational & technical responsibility and broad-based experience in accounting, management, audit & tax.

Gunter received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, majoring in Business as well as Accounting. He passed the Uniform Certified Public Accounting Examination in 1987 (KS cert #6675). He resides in Lenexa with his wife and two children.

Gunter has served on the NWCDC Board of Directors since October 2010, is currently the Board Treasurer and serves on the Finance Committee.

Patricia Robinson

Board Secretary

Patricia has been a realtor for 20 years. She has prior experience in property management, leasing and executive suite management. She served on the Board of Director’s of a not-for-profit for 10 years. She was the founder of an organization for single adults. She is married, has two sons, and 5 grandchildren. She enjoys golf, water & snow skiing, biking, and volunteer work.

Carol Jean Mays

Board Member

Carol Jean Mays was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1988 and served until 2002. Term limits prevented her from running for another term. During that time she served as Chairman of the Consumer Protection Committee and the Utility Regulation Committee. She also served as Vice Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and the Commerce Committee. Other committees of note were Children, Youth and Families, and Education Appropriations.

Carol was born in Independence, Missouri, and educated in Kansas City Public Schools. She also attended Baker University.

Widowed, she continues to live in Independence. She has three adult children and one granddaughter. She is a member of Northern Boulevard Methodist Church.

Current activities include serving on the Board of the NorthWest Communities Development Corporation, Board of the Fairmount Plaza Senior Apartments, and Greater KC Women's Political Caucus. She also served as President of MU Extension Council and is currently the President of Northern Blvd.'s United Methodist Women. She continues to remain active in Democratic politics.

Chris McCreary

Board Member

Kansas native Chris McCreary began his career in finance as a student at Wichita State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in business administration. A licensed CPA, McCreary worked for five years handling personal finance and corporate returns as well as financial audits for agricultural cooperatives and credit unions. That experience led him to a position as Chief Financial Officer for what is now known as Meritrust Credit Union, where he managed internal accounting, data processing and operational budgets. McCreary is now President of United Consumers Credit Union, where his tenure has been marked by business expansion, the development of new consumer products and a renewed dedication to community service.

Doug Williams

Board Member

Jennifer Stone

Board Member

Jennifer first fell in love with neighborhoods when volunteering at an urban church in middle school. Since then she has spent her education and career in building community. Jennifer has trained grassroots community leaders in organizational development, personal development, and the community’s role in public safety. She was first introduced to the Fairmount neighborhood in 2008, and she immediately felt at home. When not working in community development, Jennifer enjoys working out, reading, and laughing with friends.

John Greene

Board Member

John retired from Management at GM-Leeds Plant in September 1987. He then worked in Prescription Delivery business for about 18 years. He has been a member of Mt. Washington United Methodist Church since 1960. He has served as Chairman of Trustee’s for 15 years. He is one of the founding members of the NorthWest Communities Development Corporation, Fairmount Community Center, and the Fairmount Plaza Apartments. Presently, he is a Board member of the NWCDC, Fairmount Plaza Apartments, and the Clarence A. Clark Memorial Scholarship Fund. He was also a member of the Inter-City Kiwanis Club when it was still active.

Linnette Ferguson

Board Member

Linnette has been a resident of the community since 1970. She is active in community affairs and a member of the Fairmount Plaza Apartments Board of Directors. She is one of the founding members of the Board of Directors for the Northwest Communities Development Corporation. She was active in the development of the Fairmount Community Center, involved in the original Weed and Seed grant, and the formation of the Action Center.

Allen Garner

Board Member

One of the newest Board members, Allen joined the Board in October, 2011 following his return to the private practice of law after serving over twenty-five years as in-house counsel to two cities. Concluding almost nineteen years as City Counselor for Jefferson City, Allen came to Independence to serve in the same capacity for eight years. Allen has his own practice focusing on local government, employment and non-profit law and acts as Of Counsel with the firm of Kapke & Willerth. Allen is active in his church, currently serving as an adult Bible teacher and vice chair of the Deacon body. Allen and his wife, Beth, built their dream house in Independence which happens to be reasonably close to their only grandchild. Active in Rotary, Allen has served in several offices including president of the Independence Rotary Club and is currently preparing to serve as the Group Study Exchange Team headed to Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The local Habitat for Humanity affiliate has enlisted his help with its effort to create a ReStore in Independence, building on his past experience with construction projects for other Habitat affiliates. Allen was recently elected to the Jackson County Extension Council for the University of Missouri.

Bob Robinson

Board Member

Bob, a resident of Independence for 36 years, has caught the vision for his community. He joined the Independence Chamber of Commerce and served as Chamber President 1998 and also served as chairman of Santa-Cali-Gon Days Festival. Bob is always volunteering in the community to help with its growth and continuous improvement. He is also a member of the Missouri Association of School Administrators, and the Missouri School Plant Managers Association. Bob’s current position is with the Independence School District as Facilities Director. In Bob’s spare time he likes to work out, ride bikes, going to the lake to boat and fish, but mostly likes to spend time with his family.

Kathy Pickering

Board Member

Kathy is a R.N., retired school Nurse, & Hardy Bunch Block Captain. She is active in Native Sons & Daughters of KC, and the Civil War Round Table of Western Missouri. She is an avid Bunco player with Van Horn Bunco Babes.