Ryan Umberger is a Transportation Planner for Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Kansas City, Missouri. MARC is a nonprofit association of city and county governments for the bi-state Kansas City region, serving nine counties and 119 cities. His department’s work focuses on promoting sustainable transportation alternatives and integrating climate resilience into long range plans. These plans guide federal funding for projects which balance mobility with land use, air quality, and emissions reduction considerations. 

Prior to working for MARC, Ryan was the Senior Planner for the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas, for three years. As senior planner Ryan managed a team of support staff, reviewed development proposals, and provided formal recommendations to appointed and elected legislative committees.

Ryan has a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Kansas with a transportation focus. His interest in research and teaching derives from his passion for promoting a safe, balanced, and equitable transportation system.