Congressman Cleaver brings new Green Impact Zone Director to U.S. Capitol

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Co-Chair of the Caucus’ Energy and Environment Task Force welcomed Anita Maltbia, the newly hired director of the Green Impact Zone, to the U.S. Capitol Building. Maltbia was asked to participate in the CBC’s Inaugural Green Roundtable chaired by Congressman Cleaver.

The purpose of the meeting was to develop a “green Agenda” for African American communities by gathering minority business, energy industry, faith, labor, research and elected leaders to discuss this critical issue. “I am pleased to introduce my colleagues to Anita in her role as Director of the Green Impact Zone. She is an exceptional leader, and along with neighborhood and civic leaders in the Green Impact Zone I am confident she will demonstrate to the rest of the nation how green community revitalization is accomplished with a tide that raises all ships,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Her insight and experience have been critical at today’s Roundtable and my colleagues from across the nation are excited to learn from the Green Impact Zone.”

“I am excited to join the neighborhood groups, civic leaders and volunteers who have been working so hard on this exciting project. It is my honor to be listening and learning in Washington at the Green Roundtable and I am looking forward to connecting what is being talked about here with what is being worked on in the Green Zone,” said Anita Maltbia, Director of the Green Impact Zone.

Maltbia will officially begin work Aug. 3. She will oversee a staff responsible for implementing and coordinating initiatives in the Green Impact Zone. She will work with neighborhood leaders to coordinate programs and outreach in the zone as well as build partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.

A long time resident of the City’s eastside, Maltbia brings to the position many years of management and community experience, including eight years as Assistant City Manager for the City of Kansas City, Mo.

During her nearly 27 years working for the City of Kansas City, Maltbia worked closely with Congressman Cleaver in several roles. In 1993, she was asked to step in as interim director of the Convention and Entertainment Centers Department and oversaw the planning and execution of the grand opening of the 500,000 square foot expansion of Bartle Hall.

Maltbia is past president of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, and served on the national board and as vice-chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, House Homeland Security Committee and the Speaker’s Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Congressman Cleaver also serves as a Regional Whip of the Democratic Caucus and First Vice-Chair-elect of the Congressional Black Caucus.