Overland Park announces new city manager — a familiar face here from the early 2000s
Lori Curtis Luther, who has been hired as Overland Park’s new city manager, might have a familiar look — she worked for the city in the early 2000s.
Luther, most recently the city manager for Beloit, Wisconsin, is returning to Overland Park where she served as the assistant city manager from 2001 to 2005, the City Council and Mayor Curt Skoog announced in a news release on the city’s website.
“Lori has a proven track record of local government leadership, and I’m excited about her passion and energy to move our organization forward,” Skoog said in the news release.
As Beloit’s city manager since 2015, Luther led the city in improving its police department, growing and recruiting businesses and developing relationships with surrounding communities and the people of an indigenous nation, according to the news release.
Prior to serving as Beloit’s city manager, Luther was the county administrator for Peoria County, Illinois, city administrator for Waukesha, Wisconsin, and city administrator for Reedsburg, Wisconsin.
As Overland Park’s assistant city manager, Luther was involved in the transition of the private Overland Park Fire Department Inc. to a public service of the city, creation of the city’s emergency operations center, development of the capital improvement program and city budgets.
She was also involved in the transfer of ownership of the former Tomahawk Ridge Elementary School from the Blue Valley School District, paving the way for the facility to become the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center.
“It’s truly an opportunity to come full circle and return to this wonderful city and professional organization,” Luther said in the news release. “I look forward to continuing the progress and forward momentum in Overland Park, building relationships with community partner, and leading this exceptional staff.”
Luther also has served in the Johnson County government as well as the cities of Harrisonville and Kansas City.
A graduate of Olathe North High School, she holds a master of public administration degree from the University of Kansas and a bachelors degree from Baker University.
This story was originally published June 7, 2022 at 9:12 AM.
