With the election of his Director of Public Safety Melesa Johnson as Jackson County Prosecutor, and several of his staff members joining the prosecutor’s team, Mayor Quinton Lucas had some position filling to do. He announced his new team today in a press release.
Appointed to the position of Director of Public Safety Director is LaceShionna “Lace” Cline. A Kansas City native, Cline brings 13 years of leadership to the position as an assistant county prosecutor in two urban jurisdictions and law clerk to a federal judge.
She obtained her undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Missouri and previously served in private law practice.
“Lace Cline will be an outstanding Director of Public Safety who understands that public safety is essential to the long-term success of Kansas City as we continue to build on years of work to reduce violent and retaliatory crime,” said Mayor Lucas. “Her prosecutorial experience and her skill working with neighborhoods will ensure she is a strong collaborator with local prosecutors, our police, crime victims, and residents and businesses in Kansas City.”
Megan Strickland – Press Secretary
Strickland previously worked in the City’s Communications Department. A graduate of Arkansas State University, Strickland has years of experience in television, marketing, and content management.
Katherine Nace – Policy Director
A native of Springfield, Missouri, Nace obtained her undergraduate degree at Truman State University and a Master of Public Policy from Brandeis University. She has worked in areas including drug use reduction, corrections, and community support. Nace previously served in the United States Peace Corps in Guyana.
Jeffrey Lodermeier – Reta Jo Lewis Diplomatic Fellow
Lodermeier has been appointed by the United States Department of State for another year as a local government fellow for subnational diplomacy in the Office of Mayor, bolstering Kansas City’s global relationships in preparation for FIFA World Cup 2026. A long-tenured State Department official, Lodermeier has worked in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe. He attended Rockhurst University for his undergraduate degree and completed undergraduate studies at American University. He will serve in this role through the 2026 World Cup.