MIKE BURKE
Who is Mike Burke?
For 35 years, Mike has focused his law practice on commercial development, creating opportunities for area municipalities and employers to plan, grow and prosper. Mike over the years has forged a reputation for optimism, coalition building, and for enticing businesses to invest in our community. Mike is a proven community leader who sees creative solutions for our many economic and social challenges, and a world of future opportunities for our city.
A City of Opportunities
That’s the mantra and energy that Mike’s campaign is all about. Kansas City is a place where small businesses can thrive, careers are launched and education is made. Mike’s campaign is dedicated to making sure Kansas Citians realize these opportunities and all ideas are possible. From his years of experience as a Kansas City businessperson, lawyer and Public Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) member, he knows the importance of strategic economic development, quality educational institutions, secure neighborhoods and a business-friendly environment. All of these opportunities are possible for our great City through professional, confident and experienced leadership.
We are about moving forward, making progress and working together for the good of all of our neighbors in Kansas City. Whether Northland, Southland, East or Westside, we are all one city striving for a strong quality of life and opportunities for growth, and he promises to work hard every day on this campaign, and in office, to work towards those goals with each and every Kansas Citian.
Get in touch with Mike Burke:
· Online www.Burke4kc.com and for weekly campaign news
· Twitter (Twitter.com/MBurkeforMayor)
· Facebook (Facebook.com/MikeBurkeForMayor)
· Email mike@burke4kc.com
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri.
Grew up in Crestwood neighborhood at 5300 Holmes adjacent to UMKC campus.
Graduated in 1963 from St. Francis Xavier grade school (K thru 8).
Graduated with honors in 1967 from Rockhurst High School.
Summer Jobs included:
· Clerking at Burke, Jackson and Hoffman law firm
· Two years with J.A. Tobin Construction Company, including one summer working on the construction of KCI Airport
Graduated in 1970 from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., with an AB in History
· Completed four year program in three years
· Chair, GU Students for Humphrey-Muskie, 1968
· Worked in Humphrey Campaign headquarters
· Mask and Bauble Drama Society
· Graduate study in government and international affairs
· Tutored in D.C. area high schools
Graduated in 1973 from Georgetown Law School with a Juris Doctorate
· Research Editor and Editorial Board Member, Law and Policy in International Business
· Legal research for National Commission on Materials Policy
· Clerked for group of attorneys specializing in international law
Accepted as member of the Missouri Bar in September 1973
· Associate, Burke Jackson and Hoffman 1973 to 1982
· Partner, Feldhausen and Burke 1982 to 1987
· Partner, Epstein and Burke, 1987-88
· Partner, King Hershey (under several firm names) 1988 to present
CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Citizens Association of Kansas City
· Active in Association for more than 30 years
· Board of Directors, 1979-1984, 1989-2009
· Chairman, 1999
· Vice-chairman 1981-1982, 1991-2009
· Campaign Chair in 1991 and 1995 during which time Citizen Association endorsed candidates won 25 out of 26 races.
· Provided guidance and advice for dozens of City council and Mayoral candidates
Kansas City, Missouri, City Council
· Councilman, 1985-1987, filled unexpired term
· Aviation Committee
· Legislative Committee
· Audit and Operations Committee
· Sponsored resolution to broadcast City Council meetings
· Sponsored first seat belt ordinance
· Sponsored first alarm company regulations
Public Improvement Advisory Committee (PIAC)
· Chairman, 2002-2007
· Made recommendations to City Council on over $500 million in capital and deferred maintenance needs
· Conducted 16 public hearings annually across entire City
Platte County Business and Professional Association (predecessor to Northland Chamber)
· Director, 1978-1985
· President, 1981
· Hired first professional chamber staff in the Northland
· Selected as Platte County Citizen of the Year, 1981
· Chaired successful Platte County Sales Tax Campaign
· Chairman, Road, Streets and Public Transit Committee, 1982-1984
Platte County Industrial Development Authority
· Board of Directors, 1979-1982
· President, 1979
· Founding member and first president of the first industrial development authority in the Northland
· Oversaw first issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds in Platte County
Platte County Industrial Development Commission
· Worked with the County Commission to fund first professional economic development effort in Platte County
· Leader in efforts to locate several businesses to Platte County
· President 1980-1982
· Director, 1978-1982
Northland Chamber of Commerce
· Director, 1981
Platte County Democratic Central Committee
· Committeeman, 1978-1984
· Delegate to State and National Democratic Conventions,1980
Jackson County Rate Shock Task Force
· Appointed by Jackson County Executive Bill Waris to task force to study impact of Wolf Creek nuclear power plant
· Helped to hold down utility rate growth
Mid-Continent Public Library
· Appointed to Board of Directors, 1979-1982
· Director of Friends of the Library 1982-1985
Planned Industrial Expansion Authority of Kansas City (PIEA)
· Director, 1983-1984
· During this time the PIEA work on acquisition and planning for the site that is now occupied by the Kauffman Performing Arts Center
Kansas City Community Video Advisory Board
· Member, 1982-1984
· Advised City Council and Mayor on legal and practical implications of cable television
· Researched broadcast of City council meetings (later succeeded in putting meetings on television)
Regional Urban Design (RUDAT) Implementation Committee, 1980-1984
· Selected by Mayor Berkely to Co-Chair, with John Dillingham, this effort to master plan the Northland in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects. Resulted in identifying reconstruction of Barry Road as highest priority for Northland development.
Barry Road Improvement Group, 1981-1987
· Following a series of tragic accidents on Barry Road, founded, along with Sally Johnson, a not-for-profit organization to promote the reconstruction of Barry Road
· After three years of lobbying, the City Council finally appropriated money start construction
Kansas City Missouri Capital Improvements Sales Tax Committee, 1982 and 1983, 1999 and 2007
· Northland chair of first sales tax for capital improvements, while this first effort failed it resulted in a planning effort that established the Public Improvements Advisory Committee
· Co-chair of successful campaigns in 1983, 1999 and 2007
Japan America Society of Kansas City
· Member, 1975 to present
· Director, 1975-1977
· President, 1979
· Participated in first Kansas City mission to Kurashiki, our sister city in Japan, 1972
International Trade Club
· Director, 1976
Georgetown University Alumni Association of Kansas City
· President, 1980
Metropolitan Area Naturalization Council
· Director, 1977-1980
· Assisted immigrants in becoming U.S. citizens
Platte County Sheltered Facilities Board
· Director, 1980
Park Hill School District Planning Advisory Board
· Member, 1984
Northland Battered Persons Association (later named Safehaven)
· Director, 1987-1988, 1990-1993
· Led legal effort to zone and construct first shelter in State of Missouri built specifically for battered women
Synergy Services, Inc
· Director, 2007-2009
· Legislative Committee, 2005-2008
· Real Estate Committee, 2008 to present
· Synergy is the leading not for profit organizing in combating violence and domestic abuse in the metropolitan area. Synergy operates a youth campus for homeless teens and a shelter for battered women.
· Synergy also provides programs on bullying in the several Kansas City School districts.
Saint Therese Catholic Church Parish Council
· Member, 1983-1984
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Council
· President, 2008 - 2009
Park Plaza Homes Association
· President, 1979
· Director, 1977-1980
· Resident and homeowner, 1976-present
Citizens Advisory Committee on Noise Control
· Appointed by Councilwoman Kay Waldo Barnes to assist in drafting the Kansas City Missouri noise ordinance
· Worked to balance neighborhood and construction industry interests
Kansas City Corporation for National Conventions
· Director, 1981-1984, for this private non-profit fundraising group to help attract conventions to KC
· Served on host committee for Democratic mini-convention
Heart of America Friends of Scouting
· North Star District Chairman, 1989
Northland Genealogy Society
· Founding member and director, 1998-1999
Jackson County Historical Society
· Director, 1997-1999
Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City
· Director, 1991
Kansas City Riverfront Development Task Force
· Chairman, 1984-1990
· Appointed by Mayor Berkley to head first comprehensive study of opportunities for recreational and economic development of the Missouri riverfront
· Recommendations included public park for festivals and events in what is now Berkley Riverfront Park
· Lobbied for funding development of riverfront resulting in $1 million state of Missouri grant
Kansas City Riverfront, Inc
· President, 1990-1993
· A not-for-profit corporation responsible for the first festivals at riverfront and promoted education of history of river and assisted in location of Historic Corps of Engineer’s boat on Missouri River
A Journey Fourth: Lewis and Clark Bicentennial
· Chairman, 2002-2004
· Planned and raised money for largest Lewis and Clark celebration in the nation
· Attracted 50,000 visitors to Berkeley Riverfront Park
Friends of the River: Kansas City
· Director, 2002-present
· Founder and Chairman of KC Riverfest, 2005-2007, Kansas City’s largest 4th of July celebration
Port Authority of Kansas City
· Director, 1987-1991
· Vice Chairman, 1987-1990
· Chairman, 1990-1991
· Lead effort to obtain $1million in state funding for planning and land acquisition
· Completed first Riverfront Master Plan in 1990
Waterfront Center, Washington, D.C.
· Advisory Council, 2008-2009
· Member, International Design Award Jury, 2008-2009
Mid America Regional Council Bi-State Funding Task Force
· Member, 1990-1995
· Lobbied Missouri legislature on original legislation in 1987
· Assisted in planning for implementation and strategy for Kansas legislative adoption
FOCUS Kansas City
· Member, Physical Framework and Historic Preservation Work Teams, 1994-1997
· Assisted in drafting of long term strategic plan for Kansas City
Kansas City Community Infrastructure Committee
· Chair, Needs Assessment Subcommittee, 1996-1997
· Drafted strategic plan for addressing deferred maintenance and capital improvement needs
· Effort resulted in Council ordinance reforming PIAC process and setting goals for capital needs
All America City Committee: Kansas City
· Chairman, 2000 and 2006
· Lead successful effort in 2006 when Kansas City was selected as All America City winner
· Chairman of Host Committee for 2001 competition in Kansas City
National Civic League
· Board of Directors, 2008-2010
· Coordinated permanent move of All America City competition to Kansas City
· Chaired Steering Committee for establishment of National Center for Civic Excellence
KC-ICON Community Advisory Board
· Kansas City, Missouri, appointee, 2006-present
· Provided direction on community participation in construction process
· One of four board members to participate in selection of the bridge design
Kansas City River Trails
· Board of Directors, 2010
AWARDS
· Citizen of The Year: Platte County (1981)
· Man Of The Year: Native Sons of Kansas City (1987)
· Kansas City Super Lawyer Award, Municipal Government (2005, 2006 & 2007)
· Regional Leadership Award: Mid-America regional Council (2005)
· Brick-by-Brick Award: Kansas City Industrial Council (2007)
· James C. Denneny Spirit Award: Economic Development Corporation (2009)
· Best lawyers in America: Planning & Zoning (2009)
· Best lawyers in America: Planning & Zoning (2010)
