This week, former Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation Administrator, Tom Lovell formally announced his intent to replace term-limited State Rep. Gary Cross.
Lovell, who has served Lee’s Summit for nearly four decades, has a long history of working for the people of Lee’s Summit. He recently founded Lovell and Associates, LLC where he works with other park and recreation organizations, developing strategic and tactical strategies for organizational development and effectiveness.
Lovell stated, “My work history has provided me a unique and invaluable insight into the operations of our local government. My top priority is and always has been providing for my community. I have lived in Lee’s Summit for 38 years, and it has afforded me great experiences and an intimate knowledge of the area and its people. I will pair this knowledge with a straightforward approach to governance and problem-solving.”
Lovell also has an extensive history of leadership and community involvement. He has served as President of numerous organizations, including the Lee’s Summit Optimist Club, Lee’s Summit Rotary Club, the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association and the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration. He is actively involved with the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, Powell Gardens Board and The Foundations for Our Future, an organization dedicated to encouraging thoughtful and insightful citizen participation and leadership in local government. He served as the past chairman of the Kansas City Metropolitan Parks and Recreation Directors Association and presently serves as the Chairman of the Missouri Central Credit Union Board.
“I am honored to have served in a variety of leadership positions throughout my career. To me, leadership is a willingness to work collaboratively to address challenges with innovative and best practice approaches to provide short and long-term solutions. I believe we need to identify solutions that move us toward a better Missouri. Vince Lombardi said, “We strive for perfection and in its pursuit, we will achieve excellence”. This is the attitude I hope to bring to Jefferson City.”
“Our state is facing numerous challenges that need to be dealt with, including long-term highway and transportation infrastructure solutions and strengthening outcomes for Missouri students. It should be a priority to continue to fully fund the foundation formula but we also need to focus on increasing overall student and school district performance. Every student should have access to a high-quality education.”
Other priorities of Lovell include fighting the opioid epidemic, protecting right-to-work legislation, supporting state control of the minimum wage and minimizing unnecessary government regulation.
Lovell and his wife, Susan, reside in Lee’s Summit. They have two grown children John and Mason and they are the proud grandparents of four grandchildren, ages 3 to 21. Lovell attends The First United Methodist Church of Lee’s Summit.
Lovell’s campaign Treasurer is Gene Gamber and his Deputy Treasurer is Julia Hampton CPA. His core leadership team also includes Rick Viar- President of Summit Bank, Brad Culbertson- local Lee’s Summit business owner, Nancy Bruns- past CEO & President of Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce, John Lovell- owner of Lovell Group, Mike McCormick- past Lee’s Summit City Prosecutor & current legal counsel for the National Stadium Managers Association, Mason Hansen- architect with Populous and Nancy Kelley- veteran campaigner.
Lovell has retained Axiom Strategies to consult on his campaign.
