BRIAN “ROB” O’BRIAN

May 15, 2023

RE: Missouri Transportation Commission appointment

To Whom It May Concern:

Please consider this letter as a formal expression of interest for a position on the Missouri Transportation Commission. It has been a number of years since southwest Missouri has been represented on the Commission. As home to two of our state’s vibrant Metropolitan Statistical Areas and many dynamic rural counties, it is important for this area to have a transportation voice. However, in saying that, I also recognize the role of the Commission to fairly represent and respond to the transportation needs across our state within the financial constraints that always exist.

As you will see on the attached resume, I spent more than twenty years as president of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, a job that brought me back to the Show Me State after growing up and graduating from high school here. In that chamber role, I was also the lead economic developer for Joplin and the metro area and worked with rural communities that engaged in our regional efforts. Transportation is a critical factor for economic development for communities small and large. As such I was engaged in many transportation issues both with the metro area as well as with Missouri, in particular the successful I-49 efforts. I also had a broader commitment to transportation through serving on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce transportation and infrastructure committee for several years.

As indicated above, I believe the Commission must fairly represent our entire state and I have a background, experience and contacts that will allow me to do so. I served for a number of years on the boards, including as president, of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri and the Missouri Economic Development Council. Both of these are state-wide organizations that serve a broad array of communities and counties across our state. In addition, I served for many years, including as president, of the Missouri Economic Development Finance Association. This group is more focused on incentives and, as such, has a board that includes developers and attorneys from our two largest metro areas, giving me an even deeper base of contacts along with the chambers and economic development entities. In my semi-retired, part-time consulting role, I have had the opportunity to do projects or speak to groups around Missouri. Overall, the above have given me a good overview of much of our state, a recognition that there are many transportation needs and a background of contacts that may help serve the Commission in gaining input and information.

I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Commission and would take the time and make the effort to do so effectively and in collaboration with the other Commission members and MODOT leadership.

Sincerely.

Rob O’Brian

417.438.0100. robobrianconsulting@gmail.com