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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">July 14, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Sydney Olsen
<br />Engagement and Public Communications Manager
<br />City Manager's Office
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7438
<br />Sydney.Olsen@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Community members invited to attend meet and greet with Housing and Neighborhood Services director candidates, July 18</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - The City of Columbia will host a meet and greet open to the public with the final candidates for the City's Housing and Neighborhood Services director position Friday, July 18 at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway, in conference room 1A/1B.<br /><br />During the meet and greet, members of the public will have the opportunity to drop in anytime between 5-6:30 p.m. to speak with the finalists. Light refreshments will be provided.<br /><br />Information about each candidate is listed below:<br /><br /><strong>John E. Hall</strong><br />John E. Hall has nearly 25 years experience working in government. He currently serves as administrator with the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, Office of Job Corps, Washington, D.C., since 2024.<br /><br />His previous roles include director of the Department of Housing and Community Development for the County of Loudoun, Virginia; and direct
or of Neighborhoods, Housing and Human Services Division for the City of Spokane, Washington; executive director for Indianapolis Housing Agency; Executive Director, Wichita Housing Authority.<br /><br />Hall's education includes a master's degree in public administration from The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University<br /><br /><strong>Dion J. Lewis II</strong><br />Dion J. Lewis II has nearly seven years experience in local government, with prior experience in K-12 education and the United States Air Force. He has worked as deputy director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Kansas City since 2023.<br /><br />His previous roles include division manager of local and state initiatives and community engagement and economic development officer for the City of Kansas City; realtor with ReeceNichols; and director of football operations for the Hickman Mills C-1 School District in Kansas City.<br /><br />Lewis' education includes a
master's degree in business administration from MidAmerica Nazarene University. He served active duty in the United States Air Force from 2003-2013. <br /><br /><strong>William Rataj</strong><br />William Rataj has more than 29 years experience in community development. He has worked as director of housing with the City of St. Louis' Community Development Administration since 2014.<br /><br />His previous roles include supervisor of housing programs, community development specialist II and community development specialist I with the City of St. Louis' Community Development Administration.<br /><br />Rataj's education includes a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is also a certified housing development finance professional.</div>
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This release has the following attachments:<br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3369">John Hall</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3370">Dion J. Lewis II</a><br /><a href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3371">Bill Rataj</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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