Kansas City, Monday, November 20, 2023 – After 32 years, the Local Investment Commission is announcing its first ever transition at its top executive position. Founding chief executive Gayle A. Hobbs is stepping into a new role as president emeritus as she plans for her retirement in 2024.

“I would like to recommend and enthusiastically support Janet Miles-Bartee as the new leader of LINC. Janet’s love and commitment to all we serve is unquestionable and her leadership skills exemplary. But most importantly her belief in the culture of LINC, the meaning, the approach and values, the deep respect and love of people will maintain, trust me. I support her unconditionally.” —Gayle Hobbs

By unanimous decision, the LINC Commission Executive Committee, with Hobbs’ support, has named LINC Executive Vice President Janet Miles-Bartee to succeed Hobbs as president, honoring Miles-Bartee’s 24-year career at LINC in serving children, families and neighborhoods.

"I am honored and humbled by this opportunity," Miles-Bartee said. "I have done LINC's work with love for children and families, and I am thrilled to be able to carry on Gayle's mission with this beautiful LINC team of dedicated public servants. This is a great community we serve, and we look forward to continuing building Caring Communities with our school district superintendents and many other wonderful partners."

Miles-Bartee joined LINC in 1999 at Ladd Elementary as Caring Communities line staff, and quickly made her mark as a community leader as Caring Communities Coordinator and Supervisor. She later held positions as Caring Communities Administrator, then Director of Caring Communities overseeing 53 program sites in six school districts and two charter schools.

Miles-Bartee was named Executive Vice President in March 2021, taking lead of LINC’s expansive social services network, including workforce development, employment, family engagement as well as LINC’s Caring Communities programs anchored in the schools. She has earned the praise of the state’s governor, the Kansas City mayor, state lawmakers, church leaders and city department heads. But most of all, Miles-Bartee knows the families of LINC’s neighborhoods. She is their trusted friend, their advocate and their voice.

"This is a great moment in LINC's 32-year history," said LINC Commission Co-Chair David Disney. "We honor the service of our founding President, Gayle Hobbs, for all she has done for our city and its children and families. We are thrilled to be able to promote our Executive Vice President, Janet Miles-Bartee, whose proven skill, dedication and love for Caring Communities makes her the perfect choice to continue LINC's revolutionary work."

LINC announces new leadership