BHC Rhodes taps new division leader

Mark Sherfy

BHC Rhodes has recruited a former City of Shawnee employee as its newest Public Works Group Leader. Mark Sherfy brings experience as a traffic engineer and transportation manager to his new role overseeing BHC Rhodes’ engineering initiatives, including street design, road and highway design, traffic engineering, stormwater and drainage, and construction services.

“There is no greater testimony than having a customer join your team,” BHC Rhodes President Kevin Honomichl said. “Mark is innovative and brings more than 20 years of experience, and clearly appreciates our focus on providing ‘No Problem’ customer service having been the recipient.”

Why companies are racing into downtowns across America

The Downtown Council’s annual luncheon.

A diverse spectrum of different types of companies are descending upon downtowns across the country. For companies looking to strategically locate their business, why are downtown areas becoming a lucrative option?

In a recent research report by Cushman & Wakefield and Smart Growth America, a team studied 500 companies who recently made this move to find the motives behind their relocation efforts. A few themes arose.

The report says downtown setting allows companies to attract and retain talented workers, helps build brand identity and company culture, supports creative collaboration, centralizes business operations, and brings companies closer to their customers and business partners, among a host of other reasons.

Jason Tolliver, vice president of Americas research for Cushman & Wakefield, will discuss some these findings on Friday when the Downtown Council of Kansas City hosts its annual luncheon. The luncheon will also feature remarks by Kansas City Mayor Sly James, an award ceremony for DTC’s 2015 Urban Hero Award, and a Spirit of Downtown Kansas City exhibit.