Dale Reuter Named Director of Planning & Comm. Development for City of St. Joseph

Dale Reuter, a former Missouri State Highway Patrol master sergeant and Northwest Missouri State alumnus, has been appointed as the permanent Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of St. Joseph.

ST. JOSEPH, MO - The City of St. Joseph has named Dale Reuter as its new director of Planning and Community Development. Reuter has served as the interim director since Feb. 6. In his permanent role, he will manage several departments, including planning, historic preservation, community services, building and construction, and housing code compliance. He will also oversee the Community Development Block Grant program and the city's dangerous buildings division.

A graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, Reuter began his public service career as a police and code enforcement officer in Maryville, Missouri, from 1992 to 2002. He then spent more than 20 years with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, retiring as a master sergeant in May 2025.

Reuter joined the city staff last spring as a plans review coordinator.

"I will work hard every day to honor St. Joseph and its citizens,"" Reuter said, noting the city's historical significance.

City Manager Mike Schumacher cited Reuter's background in public safety and community engagement as key assets for the city's development goals.

The appointment comes as the city prepares for another leadership change. Public Works Director Abe Forney will leave his post April 10 to join the private sector. Chance Gallagher, deputy director of transportation, will serve as interim Public Works director while the city searches for a permanent replacement.