City of Lee's Summit
Tom Lovell has extensive experience in parks and recreation management, currently serving as the Administrator of Parks and Recreation for the City of Lee's Summit since April 1979, overseeing a comprehensive municipal parks system and directing a large staff. Since August 2008, Tom has also contributed as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Central Missouri, teaching courses in Park and Recreation Management and Finance. Previously, Tom held leadership roles as Director of the Bristol Tennessee Parks and Recreation Commission and Superintendent of Parks and Recreation in Russellville, Alabama, where significant departmental growth and responsibility were established. Tom began a career in education as a Teacher/Coach in the Russellville Alabama School District. Tom holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from the University of Montevallo.
City of Lee's Summit
The City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri is a thriving, progressive community located 16 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City. With a population of more than 104,000, Lee’s Summit enjoys the many attributes of a significant suburb within a major metropolitan area while still maintaining a small town feel. Complemented by a growing business community and superior quality of life amenities, Lee’s Summit has become one of the largest cities in Missouri and is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in America. Lee’s Summit is in a rare and distinguished position of being one of only 10 cities in the nation to hold four national level accreditations for its Fire, Parks & Recreation, Police and Public Works services. With 31 parks, most residents live within close proximity to a recreational opportunity, making Lee’s Summit a paradise for the active outdoor lover. Additional recreational activities include boating and fishing on one of our regional lakes or walking along our trails system. Lee’s Summit offers superior public and private schools ranging from elementary to graduate level educational institutions. We are home to one of the best school systems in the country, receiving local, state and national awards for both academic and teaching excellence. While Lee’s Summit has experienced tremendous growth, it remains an inviting, family-friendly community. There is something remarkable about Lee’s Summit that cannot be bottled and sold. It’s a healthy sense of community spirit that is woven into our relationships with each other and the fabric of our community. It is cultivated by our residents and business owners, inspired by a willingness to connect with each other and the desire to make a positive impact on our community today and in the future. Lee’s Summit! A community where anything is possible!