Uber exec with KC ties resigns to explore Kansas politics
March 21, 2017 | Meghan LeVota
An Uber executive with strong ties to Kansas City has announced his resignation and return to Kansas.
Brian McClendon
Uber announced Tuesday that Brian McClendon, vice president of maps and business platforms at Uber, would be stepping down from his post as he explores a life in Kansas politics. A University of Kansas graduate, McClendon in January became an advisor to Kansas City-based venture fund Firebrand VC.
A native of Lawrence, Kan., McClendon said his political ambitions aim to improve the Sunflower State.
“After 30 years away, I’ve decided to move back to my hometown of Lawrence, Kansas,” McClendon said in a statement. “My roots there run deep and traveling back a few times a year no longer seems like enough. This fall’s election and the current fiscal crisis in Kansas is driving me to more fully participate in our democracy — and I want to do that in the place I call home.”
McClendon graduated from KU with a degree in electrical engineering and serves on several advisory boards for his alma mater. Prior to his two-year gig at Uber, McClendon worked at Google’s mapping department for a decade.
This announcement comes just couple days after Uber’s president of ride sharing Jeff Jones resigned. Jones cited a difference in “beliefs and approach to leadership as the reason for his leave, according to the original report from Recode.
McClendon appears to be amicably departing the ride-sharing giant. His last day is scheduled for March 28.
“I believe in Uber’s mission and the many talented people working there to make it a reality and that’s why I have agreed to stay on as an adviser,” McClendon said.
The news puts McClendon closer to his advisory role with Firebrand VC, an area fund that’s focused on investing in Midwest tech ventures.
“Firebrand is thrilled to welcome Brian as a new key member of our world class team,” Firebrand managing director John Fein told Startland News in January. “His technical and entrepreneurial experience will be a huge asset to the fund, periodically helping to evaluate the teams and technologies we’re considering investing in. Brian also has very close ties to KU and Lawrence which is already helping Firebrand engage more closely with those important communities.”
McClendon recently visited Kansas City in September during Techweek KC, delivering a keynote address on the future of driverless cars.
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
C2FO accesses $30M investment with World Bank-backed IFC to expand KC firm’s working capital platform
A just-announced capital infusion for Leawood-built C2FO reflects a shared commitment with global partners to boosting jobs and strengthening economic opportunities — notably for micro, small and medium enterprises in emerging markets worldwide. The $30 million funding round features investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and existing…
Park capping I-670 gets an official name: South Loop project to honor longtime Republican bridge-builder
Kansas City’s high-profile South Loop Project — a proposed sustainable urban park capping a portion of I-670 — now has a name that pays homage to a leader who played a key role in launching the project: Roy Blunt Luminary Park. “As a working title, the South Loop Project has served us well,” said Jeff…
Not just a pet project: Why this KC e-commerce team adopted a dog supplement brand as its own
The Morgans — the family behind Marknology, a bootstrapped digital marketing firm specializing in Amazon sales — are taking a dog supplement brand that they built as a client to the next level now as owners, they shared. Waggedy — veterinarian-formulated supplements to keep dogs healthy and active, launched by Ben Bellinson in 2015 in…
She’s the mixologist of melt: Jess Priemer blends a cocktail of Kansas City into candle scents
With niche blends like 18th & Vine (whiskey, tobacco, and rose) and KC BBQ (hickory, oak, and BBQ sauce), Jess Priemer evokes memories and local landmarks with the lighting of each wick. Her candles are the best part of what makes Kansas City uniquely home, she said. “I love this city, like everybody else around…