One of the region’s most active agencies in economic and infrastructure development has welcomed a new leader to spearhead its mission of community improvement.

Teresa Lee of Warren County has taken over as executive director of Boonslick Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), an organization that assists local governments in Warren, Montgomery and Lincoln counties with community development projects and public planning. BRPC is also the local administrator for a number of economic assistance programs that aid nonprofits, small businesses, and workers who need assistance with job opportunities.

All those programs are now under the oversight of Lee, who said she has been immersed in learning since she entered the director’s office in September.

“It’s been fun. There’s so much going on. I’ve really enjoyed learning about all the programs,” Lee said. 

Lee is a native of Warren County. Her family owns and operates a farm northwest of Warrenton, near where the three counties in BRPC’s service area meet. Lee has a Master’s degree in agricultural economics and management, and has 25 years of experience in corporate and nonprofit management.

She said she was interested in taking over as the BRPC executive director because she wanted to be part of an agency that is bringing direct benefit to her community.

“I’m very active in the local community, and I grew up in this community. It’s important to me to improve the community, and I want to make a difference,” Lee commented. “Being involved in these three counties was a big appeal to me.”

Helping smaller communities with projects they would struggle to finance or manage on their own is one of Lee’s new responsibilities that she finds most meaningful. Current projects during Lee’s first months in office include assisting the city of Truesdale with a comprehensive community development plan and managing grant funding for wastewater treatment projects in Elsberry and Jonesburg.

“We’re focused on improvements in our communities to help our communities ‘grow smart,’” Lee commented. “We can have planned progress and be successful.”

Lee is the successor to Director Chad Eggen, who resigned from BRPC this summer in order to accept a job with the federal Economic Development Administration, according to the agency. Eggen had served as executive director since 2015.

Truesdale Mayor Chris Watson is one of the local government heads who has interacted most with BRPC in recent years. The agency helped the city of 900 people access grants for a park and community building, and is now guiding the city through planning for future development. Watson is also a member of the BRPC Executive Board that sought out Eggen’s replacement.

“I wanted to maintain the current relationship that (BRPC) has with our communities. ... Finding the right person in that job really meant a lot to me,” Watson said. “(Lee) was very familiar with the area and the local agencies that we’re currently working with. So far I’ve been able to work with her two or three times, and she’s very thorough. She brings a lot of information.”

Watson added that in followup conversations with BRPC staff members who are carrying out the agency’s work every day, he has heard approval for Lee’s management as director.

“That’s another thing I was particular about, because we’ve got a lot of long-term employees. ... The feedback I’ve gotten is that everybody is happy and things are going smooth.”

BRPC Executive Board Chairman Ryan Poston said prior to Lee being hired, board members were familiar with her from prior interactions. They asked her to interview for the job and were impressed with her organization and management skills, and the prior experience she had with grant-funded projects, Poston noted. He said those were priorities for the position.

“Our first goal was organization ... stuff getting done in a timely manner,” Poston commented. He added that once Lee has been at her post for some time, the board would like her perspective on what BRPC is doing well and what should be changed.

“I think she’s going to be a very good director. I have high hopes.”