April 29, 2016
Contact: Mary Enger, Communications Director, 636-949-1856, menger@sccmo.org
St. Charles County, Missouri – Subject to confirmation by the St. Charles County Council at its May 9, 2016 meeting, St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann has appointed Michael E. Hurlbert, AICP, as Director of the Department of Community Development. Upon approval, Hurlbert will start the position on May 23, 2016.
“Michael will bring a wealth of planning, economic development and real estate experience to this position,” said Ehlmann. “He has an excellent reputation in his field and a vast knowledge of the St. Charles County region. Michael’s superior skills, enthusiasm and more than 18 years of experience will serve the County well.”
Hurlbert is an American Institute Certified Planner and has extensive experience in issues related to government policy, planning, zoning requirements, building code and enforcement regulations and economic development. He has developed collaborative relationships with a wide variety of professionals, elected officials, citizens, and organizations throughout his career. His strengths include working with communities to enhance their commercial and residential growth, business retention, attraction and expansion strategies and organizational capacity.
Previously, Hurlbert served as the Planning and Economic Development Administrator for the City of Creve Coeur and as a Project Planner for the City of Chesterfield. In these positions, he advanced land use and zoning analyses and GIS mapping projects, prepared statistical reports, developed components for planning and economic development activities, was a point-of-contact regarding economic development, and oversaw flood plain administration. Major projects included developing the Central Business District Land Use Plan for Creve Coeur, updating and revising Chesterfield’s Comprehensive Plan for the city, and writing the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance and initiating the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Most recently, Hurlbert has served the past four years as Director of Economic Development for the City of O’Fallon, MO, where he was responsible for planning, directing and supervising the operations and activities of the department. His responsibilities included formulating policy recommendations, reviewing and analyzing development proposals to make recommendations and prepare responses, and coordinating efforts with all other city departments to ensure consistent and efficient processes.
Hurlbert has worked in the private sector as well, as Associate Director at PGAV Planners in St. Louis and as an Architect-Engineer Specialist for George Butler & Associates. At PGAV, he worked with political subdivisions and developers to foster public-private partnerships and effective implementation of economic development tools. At George Butler & Associates, he was the lead project manager for a comprehensive development initiative for 10 communities in Missouri, and assisted in establishing comprehensive plans for Flint Hill and Dardenne Prairie.
Hurlbert received a Master of Arts Degree in Urban Affairs from Saint Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Lindenwood University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners; American Planning Association, serving as a section director for the Missouri Chapter; and the International Economic Development Council.
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