Wade Freeman for Kansas City
6th District at Large
Building a Safe Place to Thrive
I’m running for City Council because I love Kansas City. I appreciate the wonderful things it provides and I’m concerned about challenges we haven’t addressed.
I want everyone to have similar experiences in Kansas City to the ones I’ve known. Kansas City has been very good to me. I’m blessed to have formed deep friendships, raised children, lived in great neighborhoods, worked at outstanding Kansas City companies, served valuable not-for-profit organizations, worshiped in faith-filled communities and enjoyed myself in vibrant parks.
Unfortunately, many people aren’t having the same experiences with Kansas City. It can be difficult to operate a business here. Sometimes job opportunities are limited. Housing is often hard to find and expensive. People are victims of crime. Decaying streets signal the good times are behind us.
In Kansas City, we don’t have to settle for this. Our future is even more promising than our history. Together, we are building a Safe Place to Thrive.
Paid for by Freeman for Kansas City, Meghan Freeman, Treasurer.
Wade Freeman brings 35 years of leadership and management experience to his campaign for Kansas City Council.
During his career, Wade directed the hiring of hundreds of employees, established job training and educational programs, redeveloped homes and apartments, managed employee relations, led retail bank operations, and provided vital services for senior citizens and other people in need.
Wade’s work contributed to successes at Kansas City Southern Railroad, DST Systems, the Don Bosco Center, El Centro and Citibank. Wade is a committed volunteer with religious and emergency assistance groups and an active Rotarian. Meghan and Wade Freeman raised three daughters in Kansas City and they are enthusiastic ambassadors for the City’s vitality.
These are the skills and experience Wade will use to build Kansas City as A Safe Place to Thrive.
Kansas City Southern Railroad
Led technical training of locomotive, construction, maintenance and repair personnel.
Renovated a 9,750 square foot technical training center.
Transformed online learning. Expanded access for 3,750 learners.
Expanded use of locomotive simulators to improve skill development of railroad engineers.
Implemented surveys, discussions and actions to enhance inclusion and civility.
DST Systems
Contributed to the achievement of business objectives in software development and support, infrastructure deployment and maintenance, innovation, IT security, risk management, financial management, legal services, and property management.
Identified gaps in internal skill sets and knowledge and developed programs to address immediate and long-term talent requirements.
Hired more than 1,250 internal/external candidates per year.
Implemented an enterprise-wide learning management system under budget. Consolidated 10 legacy training systems. Converted 14 training groups onto the system.
Supported learning needs of 14,000+ associates worldwide.
Led training groups delivering more than 92,000 training hours annually in areas including information systems, proprietary technology, professional development, mutual fund industry and customer service.
Highlights
Don Bosco Community Center
Increased annual revenues 45% to $6.4 million.
Provided critical services including alternative education, youth development, senior services, counseling, family support and emergency assistance.
Improved mental health services in partnership with Truman Medical Centers Behavioral Health.
El Centro
Propelled annual revenue 537% to $2.7 million.
Increased assets to $3.8 million, a 927% gain.
Implemented Keyboards to Success, an effective client-centered job training program.
Managed transaction to acquire a 216-unit apartment complex and supervised a $2.3 million renovation, providing affordable housing. Achieved and maintained 95% occupancy, creating positive cash flow to strengthen organizational finances.
Secured agreements for construction of 14 new homes.
Negotiated donation of 26-acre industrial property including covenant not to sue from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and an indemnity agreement from BancAmerica Corporation.
Education
MBA, Finance, University of Missouri Kansas City
Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, Georgetown University
Diploma, Rockhurst High School
Campaign Priorities
Public Safety and Thriving Neighborhoods
Staff police officer positions fully.
Expand pathways for young people to become police officers.
Deepen trust between citizens and law enforcement.
Employ social workers to respond to calls for assistance.
Build the municipal jail to enforce sentences.
Enhance substance abuse and mental health services, job training and programs to prevent violence and break cycles of retaliation.
Business Growth and Jobs
Find ways to get to “Yes” and approve investments that provide work and benefit the community.
Streamline business licensing.
Attract investment to promising locations in all parts of the city.
Streets and Infrastructure
Pave 500 lane miles of streets every year.
Develop infrastructure to make more housing construction possible.
Prioritize improvements near schools.
More home ownership and rental housing for people with all levels of income
Clarify, simplify and accelerate construction permitting processes.
Ready lots for construction and get vacant properties back in use.
Pre-approve house plans for construction.
Enforce codes for dignified housing.