Ken Powell and David Disney are the new co-chairs of the Local Investment Commission (LINC)—a major Kansas City, Missouri, non-profit serving children, families, and neighborhoods in Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties.

Powell and Disney have had distinguished careers in government and business. 

The new co-chairs take over leadership from Jack Craft, who will remain on the board and served as co-chair with Bailus Tate Jr., who died in 2020.

Powell retired in 2016 as Regional Commissioner for the Social Security Administration’s Kansas City Region following a 40-year career with the federal agency.

Disney, an engineer, retired this year as a Senior Vice President for JE Dunn as head of Public Affairs and Community Development for the construction company—a major regional employer.

The co-chair appointments were approved at the April 19, 2021, LINC Commission meeting.

The LINC board also approved Dr. Bob Bartman as a new LINC Commissioner. Bartman is former superintendent of the Center School District. Prior to that he served 13 years as Missouri Commissioner of Education.

LINC is involved in broad social services initiatives including workforce development, employment, and family engagement and provides important services to children and families through its Caring Communities initiative.

LINC’s services are provided in Jackson, Cass, Clay, Platte and Ray counties but also include a statewide virtual school for court-involved young people. 

The Caring Communities initiative includes social services and supports to children and families through food distributions, utility assistance, and household access to distance learning and technology assistance in addition to after-school programs.

LINC was created in 1992 by Bert Berkley, a Kansas City business along with civic and community leaders Adele Hall, Rosemary Smith Lowe, Herman Johnson and Landon Rowland, who was LINC chair for several years.