The Clay County Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of Dianna Wright as the County Administrator following an in-depth nationwide recruiting process.

*Pictured: Western Commissioner Jon Carpenter, County Administrator Dianna Wright, Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte and Eastern Commissioner Megan Thompson*

A Missouri native, Ms. Wright has extensive public sector experience serving over 30 years at the executive level. For the past ten years she has worked as the Director for the Economy Focus Area and Resource Management for the City of Olathe, Kansas. Prior to this, she served as the City Administrator for the cities of Wentzville and Harrisonville, Missouri. She began her career in public administration in Gladstone, Missouri as Assistant to the City Manager/Administrator of Management Services. Ms. Wright is a graduate of Missouri State University and University of Virginia, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service LEADS program. Ms. Wright is an active member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and has earned the designation of “Credentialed Manager.”

Ms. Wright has an extensive background in all areas of local government operations including fiscal management, economic development, public works, public safety, community development, historic preservation, public relations and parks and recreation. She has developed and managed multi-fund budgets in excess of $430 million dollars, oversaw major infrastructure improvements, and worked on a variety of commercial development and redevelopment projects.

Throughout her career, Ms. Wright has actively participated on non-profit boards of directors as a community volunteer and City management professional. She has served on the Wentzville Hospital Foundation Board, Wentzville Rotary Board of Directors, and the Wentzville Area Senior Services Association Board of Directors. Dianna’s professional affiliations have included serving as a member of the League of Kansas Municipalities’ Finance & Taxation and Public Officers & Employees Policy Committees, board member and chair for Midwest Public Risk (MPR), Chair of the Missouri Department of Transportation Rural Enhancement Committee-District 7, Chair of the Cass County Stormwater Advisory Committee, LAGERS Legislative Committee member, St Charles Economic Development Committee Board of Director, Missouri City/County Managers Association Board of Director, and on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Municipal League.

Presiding Commissioner Nolte stated he and the Commissioners are very excited to appoint Ms. Wright. “I have the greatest confidence in Dianna Wright as she assumes the duties of County Administrator. She will be an exceptional team leader not only for our staff, but in our community. Clay County is one of the fastest growing counties in Missouri, her broad experience specifically in budgeting, economic development and her collaborative leadership approach make her uniquely qualified to serve as County Administrator.”

“I want to thank the Commissioners for their confidence in appointing me County Administrator; I’m humbled by this tremendous opportunity to be part of the County Leadership Team and to serve the people of Clay County,” Ms. Wright said. “I consider it an honor and privilege to contribute to making Clay County an even stronger, safer, better place to live, work and play for all residents, business owners, and visitors."

Ms. Wright will begin her employment with Clay County on February 14th.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story