Stacey Button, economic development director and president of Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI), will retire from the city of Columbia in the spring after ten years of service.
The city announced Button’s pending retirement in a Thursday, October 10, news release.
Button began her career in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she worked as director of the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau before being promoted to that city’s economic vitality director. In that role, she was responsible for department oversight, including the tourism program, the Flagstaff Airport, business attraction, retention and expansion, and entrepreneurship programs.
Button joined Columbia’s city government as economic development director and president of REDI in 2015. In that role, the news release stated, she implemented numerous business development projects and initiatives that helped create job opportunities and support upward economic mobility for residents in Columbia and Boone County through business attraction, retention/expansion, and entrepreneurship programs.
Additionally, Button secured new air service opportunities for Columbia Regional Airport (COU), facilitated federal and state grants for COU, and oversaw the construction of the new airport terminal project that opened in October 2022.
“It’s been a wonderful honor to serve in this dual role, and I’m incredibly proud of the work of staff during my tenure,” Button said in the release. “They are a remarkable team and our community is better because of their dedication and commitment to excellence.”
As part of the REDI Board of Directors, she worked with numerous community partners and colleagues over the years.
“Together we’ve accomplished so much,” she said in the release. “I’m excited to see the great work that the staff and Board will continue to accomplish.”
As president of REDI, Button took the organization through accreditation and re-accreditation, most recently in 2024, as part of the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Accredited Economic Development Organization program. REDI is recognized as one of only eighty-three organizations to have that distinction across the globe. IEDC has more than 5,000 members nationwide and abroad.
“Stacey’s efforts have paved the way for significant economic opportunities and growth in our community. We are thankful for her lasting impact and wish her a fulfilling retirement ahead,” City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said in the news release. “As we search for her successor, we are committed to finding a candidate who not only shares her passion for economic development but also possesses the skills and vision to continue advancing our community’s financial success.”
