As the Housing Programs Supervisor for the City of Columbia, Randy Cole oversees the City’s affordable housing and community development efforts funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Program and local funding. Randy has spearheaded the City’s efforts in implementing a community land trust organization and currently oversees daily operations and supports the Columbia Community Land Trust’s (CCLT) board of directors. As a part of the CCLT’s first development, he worked directly with a central city neighborhood to begin redevelopment of a central city block involving 11 properties. This innovative redevelopment project includes efforts to remove dilapidated housing, provide permanently affordable owner occupied housing, improve storm water, upgrade sewer systems, underground electric infrastructure, install solar photo-voltaic systems, construct sidewalks, install street lighting, renovate a community facility, increase access to green space, and create a community garden.

Prior to working for the City, Randy worked for Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA), where he oversaw the Department of Energy’s Low-Income Weatherization Program serving 8 counties in mid-Missouri. Under his leadership, CMCA was awarded $500,000 through a U.S. Department of Energy competitive grant to install geothermal heating systems and solar water heaters in Columbia low income households. He developed an energy auditor training where he trained and certified over 60 BPI Certified energy auditors across the state representing non-profit organizations, private contractors and Missouri Electric Cooperative utilities.

Randy holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the Truman School of Public Affairs, where he was inducted into the Rollins Society for his training and volunteer service as a community facilitator on diversity and inclusion.