Stacey Button, CEcD, brings extensive municipal leadership experience to economic development, aviation, and public management. Her career has centered on building strong teams, advancing community priorities, and turning long-term plans into practical results. At Vernare, her focus areas are Economic Development, Aviation, and Interim Public Management.
From January 2015 through February 2025, Stacey served as Director of Economic Development for the City of Columbia, Missouri, and President of Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI). Her responsibilities included Columbia Regional Airport, business attraction and retention, entrepreneurship initiatives, and coordination with local, state, and federal partners. She managed a team of 16 and annual operating and capital budgets of approximately $15 million.
During her tenure in Columbia, Stacey led economic development efforts supporting new manufacturing facilities, corporate expansion, workforce development, and business incubation. Projects included Swift Prepared Foods, Aurora Organic Dairy, American Outdoor Brands, and the expansion of EquipmentShare's corporate headquarters. She also helped establish a shared commercial kitchen for food-based startups and a retail incubator for minority business enterprises.
Her aviation experience includes oversight of Columbia Regional Airport's $32 million terminal project, which opened in October 2022, as well as air service development and grant funding for expanded service. Earlier, she oversaw airport operations and capital projects in Flagstaff, Arizona, and worked to expand air service and advance development opportunities at the airport business park.
Before moving to Columbia, Stacey served as Director of Economic Vitality for the City of Flagstaff from 2008 to 2014, leading economic development, tourism, and airport functions. She managed 30 employees and approximately $20 million in annual operating and capital budgets. Her work included business incubation, a federal grant for the Innovation Mesa Science and Technology Park, and public-private economic development partnerships. She previously led Flagstaff's Convention and Visitors Bureau from 2004 to 2008.
Stacey earned a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from Northern Arizona University and attained the International Economic Development Council's Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential in 2020. Her community and professional involvement has included the Missouri Women's Business Center, Missouri Innovation Center, Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and economic development accreditation review.
Back to all advisors