Kansas City Names Mario Vasquez as New City Manager

Posted May 14, 2025

Mario Vasquez, a 28-year city government veteran, is now Kansas City’s new city manager.

In his new role, Vasquez will oversee a $2.5 billion budget and nearly 5,000 employees, according to a release. His focus will include housing production and preservation, infrastructure investment, economic development, and continued improvements to public service delivery.

Mario Vasquez is the new City Manager for Kansas City effective immediately. Photo credit: City of Kansas City.

He will begin his new role immediately.

Vasquez began his career in public service in 1997 as an entry-level planner, and throughout his career, he went on to serve in multiple leadership roles.In his career, Vasquez has served as Project Manager, Assistant City Manager and most recently as Director of City Planning and Development.

“Serving this city has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Vasquez said in the release. “I look forward to working with our staff, elected officials, and community partners to deliver responsive, reliable services and to keep Kansas City moving forward.”

Vasquez succeeds Interim City Manager Kimiko Black Gilmore. Black Gilmore served as interim City Manager following the termination of former City Manager Brian Platt at a special session held in March. The Kansas City Council voted unanimously to fire Platt following his suspension after Kansas City lost a whistleblower lawsuit.