Urban Districts Alliance director resigns

Simmons will be replaced by Rusty Worley, vice president for administration at Drury University, who served as UDA board president from 2003-2004. His last day at Drury is Oct. 3.

Simmons’ last day at the downtown economic development organization is Oct. 14.

UDA Board President Link Knauer said the transition should be smooth because Worley won’t come with a learning a curve.

“It doesn’t get better than this – here we have a man who knows the community intimately, knows our constituent organizations very well and knows us and our programs intimately,” Knauer said.

Worley was UDA board president when Simmons was hired in January 2004.

Simmons is moving to Sedalia where he has plans to purchase a business, though he won’t disclose what type.

“If I don’t do it now, I’ll miss the opportunity,” he said. “It’s definitely a new venture, but the experience I received in the nonprofit world will translate very well.”

He also will do some consulting and assessment for small communities in Missouri and remain a major player in downtown issues through various organizations.

“They’ve been my life for the past 10 years, and I want to be on the private sector side of things but still involved,” he said.

Simmons said Worley’s involvement with downtown projects and knowledge of UDA’s history makes him more than qualified for the position.

“I wish him the best because he’s going to be in the major growth phase in downtown,” he said. “He’s going to be a very busy person.”