Lawrence Simonson to step down as Local Motion’s CEO

Lawrence Simonson, Local Motion's Chief Executive Officer, will step down on December 13, 2024. The organization's Board of Directors has formed a search committee and posted the open CEO position on the website.

Simonson, a nonprofit business leader and steadfast advocate for transportation equity, was hired at Local Motion nearly 15 years ago when the organization was known as PedNet Coalition. In 2010, he was hired into a temporary, part-time position scheduled to last only two months. Simonson, however, quickly demonstrated his value to the organization and was hired into a permanent position as Safe Routes to School Coordinator for the organization's Walking School Bus program. Simonson rose through the ranks and served as Assistant Director and Chief Strategy Officer and was finally promoted to the CEO position in 2021.

“I've had the immense privilege of having a dream career with Local Motion and getting to lead an organization that has had an enormous, positive impact on Columbia. I’m proud of everything we've achieved together, from expanding our community impact to making our streets safer for everyone. I am especially proud of the amazing team I’ve had the honor of working alongside every day. I'll miss them dearly.”
-Lawrence Simonson

Simonson has played a critical role in improving transportation equity in Columbia and leaves behind a legacy of advocacy successes that have helped transform Columbia’s streets and trails and improved the lives of all Columbians. Simonson played a significant role in the adoption of Columbia’s Vision Zero policy and spearheaded the campaign behind Columbia’s new Livable Streets Resolution. As Local Motion's policy lead, Simonson remained steadfast through more than 5 years of advocacy for the Shepard to Rollins Trail, a critical connector for Columbia's entire trail system. He is known for building positive relationships with elected officials, government staff, and community members, which led to Local Motion's growth as a membership organization representing over 8,000 members, including 35 businesses and organizations.

Simonson's leadership significantly shifted the 2021 Park Sales Tax to accelerate building new trails in Columbia and prioritized trails in lower-income neighborhoods. Simonson oversaw a shift in Local Motion's advocacy strategy to emphasize grassroots organizing in priority neighborhoods, culminating in Local Motion's Neighborhood Leadership Council and Move the Community advocacy training programs. Simonson co-founded Missourians for Responsible Transportation, a statewide advocacy network that successfully advocated for the 144-mile Rock Island Trail to be adopted as a state park and led the campaign for Missouri's "hands-free" distracted driving bill. Simonson is leaving Local Motion in a strong position to continue successfully advocating for transportation equity in Columbia.