Beccy Yocham Named New Lenexa City Manager

Beccy Yocham Named New Lenexa City Manager
Posted on 04/16/2019
Beccy Yocham

With more than 20 years of experience serving the community in several capacities, Beccy Yocham has been appointed as the new City Manager for Lenexa, Kansas.

Following a national recruitment and selection process, the City Council unanimously approved Beccy’s contract during their April 16 meeting. Appointed by the City Council, the City Manager works closely with elected officials to set and achieve goals for the community and oversees the city’s professional staff.

When she officially begins her duties on May 1, Beccy will be the fourth City Manager to lead the organization. The appointment comes as current City Manager Eric Wade prepares to retire in June after serving the community for 15 years.

“One of the clear messages we heard during our recent Vision 2040 process is that Lenexans think we are on the right path and want us to continue delivering high quality services and programs,” said Mayor Michael Boehm. “We have great confidence in Beccy and the continuity she will provide for the organization. She has outstanding relationships throughout the community, is a proven leader and is dedicated to serving all of Lenexa.”

Since 2011, Beccy has served as Director of Community Development, leading a team responsible for planning, engineering, building and construction services, right-of-way management and community standards. Previously, she served in Lenexa’s Legal Department in several roles including Deputy City Attorney, where she advised city staff and elected officials on a wide variety of legal matters. Her unique career path has afforded her the opportunity to work closely with every city department.

“I am very pleased that Beccy was selected to be the next Lenexa City Manager,” said Ward 2 Councilmember Tom Nolte. “She is a valued leader that has already served Lenexa over the last 21 years. The ‘Lenexa Way’ will evolve and improve under Beccy’s leadership and, most importantly, continue.”

Ward 3 Councilmember Dan Roh said, “Beccy was one of the first city staff members I interfaced with as a new City Councilmember in early 2018. As a key player in my orientation, it was her responsibility to cover economic development. The topic is somewhat complex for a newbie, but with her excellent communication and listening skills and a deep understanding of how to manage local economic development, she presented the subject in a very clear, concise, understandable manner. Since the on-boarding session there have been countless times I’ve seen her demonstrate these skills, which will be very valuable as she begins her tenure as the new Lenexa City Manager.”

As one of the fastest-growing communities in the Kansas, Lenexa has seen record economic development for four consecutive years. Beccy is one of the primary leaders responsible for the development of Lenexa City Center, the community’s new downtown. To date, more than $655 million of public and private investment has occurred in Lenexa City Center.

“Beccy’s selection is fantastic news,” said Blake Schreck, President of the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce. “She has the skill set, the experience and the leadership qualities to be an excellent City Manager. Beccy has been directly involved with our economic development efforts during these record-setting years and has been a great partner with the Chamber and the business community. She will do a wonderful job for Lenexa, and we look forward to working with her.”

“I am grateful to the Lenexa Governing Body for giving me this exciting opportunity,” said Beccy. “Lenexa is a unique and special community – from our visionary Mayor and City Council to the dedicated and hardworking city employees that provide exceptional service to our residents. It has been my privilege to be a part of this organization for over 20 years, and I look forward to continuing to serve the Lenexa community in the role of City Manager.”

Beccy received a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing degree from Pittsburg State University and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law. Prior to joining the City of Lenexa, she served as Assistant General Counsel for the League of Kansas Municipalities in Topeka, Kansas.

She is an alumna and serves on the Board of Trustees of Leadership Kansas, a prestigious statewide program designed to enhance future leaders from various Kansas communities. She is actively involved with the United Community Services of Johnson County Board of Directors, the Urban Land Institute Kansas City District Council, the Mid-America Regional Council’s Total Transportation Policy Committee, and the Lenexa Rotary Club. Previous organizational involvement includes the United Way of Greater Kansas City, City Attorneys Association of Kansas Board of Directors, University of Kansas Women’s Heart Health Advisory Council Board of Directors, Pittsburg State University Alumni Association Board of Directors, Leadership Lenexa and the Kansas Bar Association, where she served as President of the Government Lawyers Section.

She has received many awards for her service, including Lenexa City Employee of the Year in 2007.

The city will immediately look to fill the role of Community Development Director. Current City Manager Eric Wade will continue to serve in an advisory role until his retirement on June 21, 2019.

“Beccy is an exceptional choice to lead the dedicated team of professionals who work on behalf of Lenexa,” Wade said. “She is a strong believer in the vision, mission and values which drive our employees. I am confident that the community will continue to flourish under her leadership.”


Published April 16, 2019