Jean Paul Chaurand, President (2011-Present)
President Jean Paul Chaurand is the Chief Operating Officer for both Guadalupe Centers Inc. and Guadalupe Education System. Prior to joining GCI, Mr. Chaurand served as the Senior Vice President for the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Executive Director of the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Chaurand received a bachelor’s degree in urban affairs from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and an MBA from UMKC’s Bloch School Executive MBA Program.
Allen Dillingham, Commissioner (2011-Present)
Allen Dillingham is the Director of Government Affairs for the Builders’ Association and is the former District Director for Senator Kit Bond. Mr. Dillingham currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Greater Kansas City United Way and the Board of Advocates for Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics. He received a bachelor’s degree in World Political Economy from The Colorado College and an MBA from UMKC’s Bloch School Executive MBA Program.
David Mecklenburg, Commissioner (2011-Present)
David Mecklenberg is an insurance agent with Calvin Eddy and Kappelman, Inc. Mr. Mecklenburg has served the Clay County Parks Board, the Northland Neighborhoods Board and Kansas City’s Wet Weather Community Panel. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Methodist College and is a veteran of the United States Army.
Mary Jane Judy, Commissioner (2013-Present)
Mary Jane Judy is a a shareholder at Polsinelli where she focuses on real estate transactions and finance matters. She has previously served as chair of the City’s Liquor Control Board of Review as well as on the boards of several charities. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law.
Mark L. McHenry, Director
Mark McHenry earned his bachelor’s degree in park administration in 1974 and his master’s in public administration in 1989. He has been a key staff member of Parks and Recreation since 1976, moving through the ranks of park district manager, superintendent of construction and development, superintendent of parks management, and beginning in 1988, deputy director. He has been project manager on such large projects as the new Zoo construction and the renovation of the Liberty Memorial.
In addition to his record of public management, Mr. McHenry has served as president of the local chapter of American Society for Public Administration, president of the Southwest Parks and Recreation Training Institute (SWPRTI) and president of the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association (MPRA). He also is a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association and of the American Public Works Association. He has received many awards throughout his distinguished career including the Outstanding Service Award from (SPRTI) and the 2009 Fellow Award from MPRA.
The Board of Parks and Recreation holds public meetings every other Tuesday at the Parks and Recreation Department Administration building, 4600 E. 63rd St. All meetings start at 2 p.m. and are open to the public.
To contact the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners
Karmen Houston, Secretary
4600 E. 63rd St.
Kansas City, MO 64130
816-513-7503
karmen.houston@kcmo.org
