City of Columbia announces retirement of Community Relations Director Steven Sapp in January 2021

City of Columbia Community Relations Director Steven Sapp will retire effective Jan. 14, 2021, after 41 years of service with the City of Columbia. 

Sapp began his career with the City on Jan. 14, 1980 with Public Safety Joint Communications answering 911 phone calls. In 1989, he joined the Columbia Fire Department as a firefighter. He was assigned to the Fire Marshal's Division as a lieutenant in 1998; he worked his way up to a captain, then to battalion chief as the fire marshal. Sapp retired from the Columbia Fire Department in June 2012. One month later he became the public information officer for the City of Columbia Public Works Department and in January 2016 was promoted to director of the newly created Community Relations department.

"My entire career has been dedicated to public service and to the residents of mid Missouri," Sapp said. "It has been a humbling and extremely fulfilling experience to serve and to work alongside so many other dedicated public servants who strive each and every day to make our community a better place for everyone. I couldn’t be more proud of the successes we’ve achieved together and of the vital work that will continue and make our community even stronger."

As the first director of Community Relations, Sapp championed a number of new initiatives to strengthen communications and improve interactions with residents. A key element in the department’s success was deeper communication and engagement amongst City departments allowing for more frequent and open communications with the community. 

Transparency was greatly increased through the use of GovQA, the City’s online open records request portal. The Contact Center, a division within the department, increased the number of customer communication portals by launching chat and the MyCOMO app.  They also successfully instituted new customer relationship management software to integrate with other City systems for improved workflow and resident satisfaction. The Communications and Creative Services teams implemented comprehensive branding and visual guidelines replacing dozens of inconsistent former brands to enhance and strengthen the City’s identity while creating efficiencies across the City.  Sapp also guided the development and development and design of the City’s new comprehensive, customer-focused website set to launch in 2021.

"It’s hard to imagine the City of Columbia without Steve," City Manager John Glascock said.  "He has made such a positive impact on our community and provided unwavering dedicated service to our residents for many decades. I thank him for his service and leadership and wish him the very best in retirement."