Jackson County Executive Frank White is losing one of his most experienced administrators as County Administrator Troy Schulte prepares to depart for a role with New York-based developer SomeraRoad.
Schulte, who has served as Jackson County administrator for the past five years, will help grow SomeraRoad’s sports and entertainment division, focusing on development projects nationwide.
SomeraRoad is also the lead developer in Kansas City’s West Bottoms area, where the company is actively involved in a multi-million dollar redevelopment effort.
“Over the past five years, Troy has been a dedicated leader and an invaluable member of my administration,” said White. “Under Troy’s leadership, Jackson County has made tremendous progress on critical initiatives.”
The departure marks the end of a significant chapter in local government for Schulte, who previously served as Kansas City’s city manager for a decade before joining Jackson County in 2019. Schulte oversaw the revitalization of downtown Kansas City during his tenure as city manager and served in various capacities for 20-plus years before taking the job with Jackson County.
His efforts to “bridge the gap” between the executive and the legislature in Jackson County yielded mixed results, as the two branches of county government are often at odds.
However, during his tenure with the county, Schulte played a pivotal role in managing several controversial and complex projects, including the county’s property tax reassessment process and the planning of a new detention facility set to open in 2026.
The move comes at a critical time as the county grapples with several major initiatives, including ongoing discussions with the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.
“Troy has been a trusted advisor behind the scenes, providing thoughtful counsel on a wide range of issues, including our current discussions with the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs,” said White.
The county is in active negotiations with the professional sports teams over their desire for new or renovated stadiums after voters recently rejected a proposed sales tax extension that would have funded a new downtown baseball stadium and Arrowhead Stadium renovations.
Schulte’s exit creates a notable vacancy in White’s administration. The county executive plans to announce the next steps for filling the administrator position in the coming days. White praised Schulte’s contributions to the county and wished him well.
“While we are sad to see Troy move on, we are incredibly grateful for his years of service and the positive impact he has had on Jackson County,” said White. “His insights and leadership have been instrumental in shaping our strategies for the future.”
