Longtime regional technology leader to retire

June 5, 2026 - 19:13

Mark Morris, who has served as the City of Joplin's Director of Information Technology for a quarter of a century, will officially retire on September 18th. His departure marks the end of an era for the city's technology operations, where he oversaw the digital backbone of municipal services through periods of rapid change and significant crisis.

Morris joined the city in 1999, a time when local government IT was still transitioning from paper-based systems to networked computers. Over the years, he guided the department through major upgrades, including the implementation of citywide fiber optics, modern cybersecurity protocols, and the integration of public safety communication systems. His steady hand was particularly visible after the 2011 tornado, when he helped rebuild Joplin's technology infrastructure from the ground up while city offices operated out of temporary trailers.

City Manager Nick Edwards praised Morris for his quiet competence and institutional knowledge. "Mark has been the person keeping our servers running and our data secure, often without anyone noticing because he made it look easy," Edwards said. "His retirement leaves big shoes to fill."

The city plans to begin a national search for a new IT director in the coming weeks. Morris has indicated he will assist with the transition before stepping away fully. He has not announced specific retirement plans but hinted at spending more time with family and pursuing woodworking projects he has put off for years.