President: Stacey Johnson-Cosby
Licensed as a real estate Broker-Agent for 27 years in Missouri & Kansas, and is currently with ReeceNichols Realtors.
Her volunteer efforts include serving as:
- Volunteers with the Heart of America Standdown (serving homeless Veterans twice a year) on the Donations Committee
- Lifetime member of the UMKC Alumni Association (and served as a past Co-Chair of the Alumni Awards Luncheon raising scholarship funds for students at financial risk)
- Center Planning & Development Council Board Member, Vice President
- KCMO Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) Vice Chair, 6th District Rep.
- KCMO Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF), 6th District Rep.
- Jackson County Board of Equalization, Center School District Rep.
- Swope Community Builders, Member of the Board of Directors, Secretary
Vice President: Tom Alber
Thomas began his Law Enforcement career in 1989 with the Anderson County, Kansas Sheriffs Office and has served in various positions including dispatch, detention, patrol, narcotics, investigations and Deputy Chief for various departments throughout Kansas and Missouri. Thomas was hired by Garden City in 2000 as a Detective promoted to Deputy Chief and was appointed Chief of Police in 2003.
During his 27 year military career, Thomas served in both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. Serving as an enlisted member, he attained the rank of Sergeant First Class, then recevied a direct commission attaining the rank of Major. During his military carreer he served a variety of positions including Military Police Officer, a Tactical Intelligence Officer, Anti-Terrorism Officer, Force Protection Officer, Psychological Operations Officer and Arabic Linguist. After the attacks of 9-11Thomas served as Deputy Detension Facility Commander at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
He has worked with and trained many police departments and military organizations throughout the world in countries such as:
Spain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Korea, Germany, Japan, Macedonia and Canada
Thomas retired from the United States Army as Commander of the 308th Psychological Operations Company, United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command Airborne, U. S. Army Special Operations Command Airborne. He is a graduate of The JFK Special Warfare Center and School’s Psychological Operations Officer’s Qualification Course, The U.S. Army Basic Intelligence Analyst Course, The U.S. Army Military Police Officer’s Basic and Advanced Courses and the United States Marine Corps Communications and Electronics School.
Chief Alber is a 1995 Graduate of Central Missouri State University with degrees in Criminal Justice Administration and Fire Science. Thomas is also a Graduate of the FBI’s Central States Regional Command College 17th Session, the FBI-LEEDA Supervisory Leadership Institute, the DEA Drug Unit Commander’s Course, The Southern Police Institute’s Chief Executive Leadership Course, and the IACP Leadership in Police Organizations Course.
Chief Alber curently serves On the Executive Board of Directors of the FBI- Law Enforcement Executive Development Association. He is also a guest lecturer at Park University and the 2009, 2010 and 2014 International Crime Free Conferences on Militant Islamic Culture and the history of Militant Islamic Extremeism. Additionally, he facalitates daily leadership discussions on the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association’s Facebook page, Facebook group and LinkedIn group and is also a regular command representative on #COPCHAT, an international Twitter forum encouraging open dialogue between citizens and law enforcement.
Thomas is a regular contributor to many professional forums discussing leadership topics such as the FBI- Law Enforcement Executive Development Association, International Association of Chief’s of Police, The Police Executive Research Forum, The International Association of Chief’s of Police, Northwestern University Center for Public Safety and the Southern Police Institute.
Chief Alber is an active member in many porfessional organizations including:International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Crime Free Association Executive Board of Directors , FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Executive Board of Directors, Mid America Crime Free Association, Missouri Chiefs of Police Association, Kansas City Metro Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, National Association of Fire Investigators, Cass County Fire Investigation Team, Garden City Volunteers in Police Service
In addition to his law enforcement activities, Thomas is active throughout the Kansas City Metro Area in community and civic organizations to include:The Kansas City Neighborhood Advisory Council South West Regional Representative, The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City’s Citizen Advisory Committee, Past Commander of the American Legion Post #498, Ararat Shrine Legion of Honor, Index Lodge #54 AF&AM
Chief Alber is married to Kathleen M. Alber, who is with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department. Kathy and Tom have four daughters and live in South Kansas City, Missouri
Treasurer: Deborah Washam
Geoff Gerling: Government Affairs, Chair
Geoff Gerling is a life-long resident of Kansas City and has proudly held the role of Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee since January 2014. An alumnus of Raytown High School and the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Geoff has always had a passion for government and politics. He was an active voice for the University of Missouri System in Jefferson City serving in multiple official roles resulting in strong personal relationships with officials as well as a detailed understanding of how our government process works. Mr. Gerling has a distinguished career background in non-profit fund development and management, but has always had a hand in city, county and state government as an advocate and bridge builder for a variety of causes.
Geoff is a member of several civic and community organizations across Jackson County. He serves on the South Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs committee, was appointed to the city Impact Fee Advisory Committee, and can usually be seen about town talking about Royals baseball to anyone who will listen. gmgerling@gmail.com
Cathy Knight-Kotzias: Economic Development, Chair
Chris Korth
Christopher is an Attorney at Law- Representing individuals in Workers Compensation, Traffic matters, City Court cases, Car & Truck Accidents since 1985. He attended Washburn University School of Law, and was active in Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Fraternity, Men’s Legal Forum. Best of the Bar, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012. Eagle Scout, Lawyer Elected Representative to Kansas City Municipal Judicial Nominating Commission, 1998-2002, 2006-2010, 2010-present, Who’s Who in Law. Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree Knight, member 1978 to present, Homes Association President, 2010-present, Past Citizens Association Board member, Boy Scout Leader, KCMBA, MO Bar, Lifetime member National Eagle Scout Association
A single parent with 5 kids, 4 sons and 1 daughter.
Greg Lever: Membership, Chair
Kevin McManus: Strategic Planning, Co-Chair
Steve Quinlin
John Sharp: By-Laws, Chair, Membership, Vice-Chair
Doug Smith
Sherwood Smith: Neighborhood, Chair
Eslun Tucker
Eslun Tucker is president and co-founder of BridgEvolution Inc. which offers M2M communication consulting and solution integration services. She has a BA in Organizational Leadership from Rockhurst University and over 20 years of sales and marketing experience in the information technology and communications field. Ms. Tucker serves on several local boards including the Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund, Sister Cities Association of KC, and Grandview School District’s Superintendent’s Community Advisory Board. She is also active in various community and business associations, was appointed to Kansas City’s Redistricting Committee, and has provided training for the International Trade Council on doing business with emerging markets in Africa.
Charles Renner: Special Advisor
