John McCurdy

About John McCurdy

I’m a civic strategist and retired USAF Colonel who has led transformational change…

Experience

1. Director of Community Development

   City Of Rogers, Arkansas

   Jan 2017 — Present · Rogers, AR, US

   Lead integrated planning, engineering, zoning, and cultural efforts in one of America’s fastest-growing small cities. Rebuilt and scaled a high-performing team (from 8 to 30+) and reshaped the city’s development framework to align with national best practices in equity, sustainability, and mobility.• Replaced outdated zoning with a comprehensive form-based Unified Development Code in collaboration with DPZ and Placemakers.• Championed and passed a $190M multimodal bond; prioritized complete streets, grid connectivity, and neighborhood-scale access.• Introduced a roundabout-first policy; oversaw installation of 10+ roundabouts based on field visits and ongoing collaboration with Carmel, IN. Built long-term public support despite initial resistance.• Designed and launched Railyard Park—a Fast Company “World Changing Idea”—as a downtown civic anchor.• Created the city’s Arts & Culture Division; activated spaces with professional concerts, film series, and art installations based on Walton-funded audit findings.• Designed a 20-mile urban trail loop linking neighborhoods to the Razorback Greenway; modeled off successful systems in Seville, Spain.• Secured over $10M in grant funding; helped unlock nearly $200M in capital investment toward infrastructure and public space.• Chaired NWARPC Technical Advisory Committee; advanced unified regional transit planning, including BRT readiness.• Co-chaired successful bid to host Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU 34) in 2026; secured Walton funding to send 60+ NWA leaders to CNU 32 in Providence.

Education

• American Military University

  Master of Arts (M.A.)

  2007 — 2008

• Dallas Theological Seminary

  Certificate of Graduate Studies

  2002 — 2006

• United States Air Force Academy

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Math, Science and Engineering

  1984 — 1988

Skills

• Product Development
• Reconnaissance
• Leadership
• Intelligence
• Technology Product Development
• Unmanned Vehicles
• Electronic Warfare
• Top Secret
• Satellite Communications
• Sales Management
• Command
• P&L Management
• Global Operations
• Training & Development
• Program Management
• Air Force
• Marketing
• Consumer Behaviour
• Security Clearance
• Outdoor Advertising
• Marketing Management
• Print Advertising
• Defense
• Team Building
• Advertising
• Organizational Leadership
• Military Experience
• Change Leader
• Consumer Marketing
• Retail Packaging
• Trade Marketing
• Consumer Products
• Technology Incubation
• Turnaround Strategy
• Strategic Planning
• Business Development
• Military Operations
• Aviation
• Army
• Government Contracting