KANSAS CITY, MO Pat Contreras, former U.S. diplomat and candidate for Missouri Treasurer, and Darin Headrick, former superintendent of USD 422 in Greensburg, Kansas, join McCownGordon Construction's project development team. Contreras will serve the greater Kansas City, Missouri, market and Headrick will engage all the firm's market sectors west of Lawrence, Kansas. Both will develop strategies and business plans to further the firm's presence in these key geographic areas.

"We are very pleased to have Pat and Darrin join the team at McCownGordon," said Ramin Cherafat, Chief Operating Officer for McCownGordon.  "The firm is focused on growth and opportunity for our associates, our clients and our partners. These two experienced professionals are a perfect fit for our growing team and our expanding roster of clients."

Contreras has extensive experience with the business community in the greater Kansas City area, as well as across the state of Missouri. He has demonstrated an ability to cultivate and maintain strategic relationships as evidenced by his success serving as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer during both the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations. He has worked to strengthen U.S. ties abroad and foster investment opportunities to help create American jobs while at the State Department in Washington D.C.  Closer to home, he has served at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and on the Jackson County Veterans Task Force. Contreras has a bachelor of science in business administration from Saint Louis University and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University in New York.

"We are very excited to welcome Pat to the team," said Cherafat. "His career to date is a testament to his ability to bring people together, finding out what their significant issues are, and trying to resolve problems. As a project development manager, that is precisely the skill set required to ensure that McCownGordon delivers the best building experience for our clients and partners. 

Headrick, who joined the firm in February, has more than 20 years of experience as a school administrator, having played a vital role in the rebuilding efforts for schools in Greensburg, Kansas, following a devastating tornado in 2007.  He is a nationally recognized speaker and has served as a communications expert and liaison for a variety of organizations including the Kansas School Superintendent Association and the Kansas Council of Superintendents. Headrick holds a bachelor of applied science degree, physical science from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and a Master's degree, Educational Leadership and Administration from Fort Hays State University.

"Having been a past client, Darrin brings an excellent understanding of our company's core values and reputation in the marketplace." said Cherafat. "He is well-known across the state of Kansas and offers insight and knowledge of these communities and the challenges they face. He is a strong and strategic addition to our project development team." 

Contreras and Headrick join Carrie Rezac and Stephanie Meyer on the firm's project development team.  Rezac serves the higher education market sector across the Midwest.  Meyer is focused on the firm's civic and K-12 education clients on the Kansas side of the state line within in the greater metropolitan area.