Ballot City
Lenexa
Campaign Phone
7858443314
Personal Biography
John Michael moved to Lenexa in 2019 and fell in love with the city immediately. He wasted no time in giving back: in 2020, Mayor Boehm appointed him to the Planning Commission, and served on the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee in '23/'24. In 2025, Mayor Julie Sayers appointed him to City Council to finish his predecessor's term. He credits his family for his strong work ethic and desire to serve his community. John Michael is a former engineer and current data center developer.
Education
University of Kansas: B.S., Chemical Engineering, 2017; Master of Civil Engineering, 2019. University of Missouri-Kansas City: Master of Business Administration, expected 2028.
Community/Public Service
Lenexa Planning Commission, 2020-2025; Lenexa Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee 2023/2024; Lenexa City Council, 2025-; Black & Veatch Pride Employee Resource Group, 2018-2025;
1. Smart, intentional development. Lenexa is growing quickly, and should be guided by a clear, strategic plan that balances residential, commercial, and green space while preserving the character of our neighborhoods.
2. Value-based services and infrastructure. From public safety to streets and trails, we must continue to invest in the infrastructure and services that keep Lenexa strong while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
3. Expanding housing options. Broader housing types allow people of every stage in life, from young professionals to families to seniors, to afford to live and stay in Lenexa. This includes a healthy mix of single family homes in addition to denser options where they fit our community.
I bring a background in infrastructure and planning, shaped by experience in both the public and private sectors. I served nearly five years on Lenexa’s Planning Commission as well as on our Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee before my appointment to the City Council. In my professional work, I’ve led teams, delivered complex projects, and advanced equity-focused initiatives, all of which have earned me both company-wide recognition and one of Kansas City Business Journal's NextGen Leader Awards in 2025.
I take a thoughtful, collaborative approach to leadership, focused on long-term results and responsive, community-driven decision-making.
City Council shapes our daily lives in Lenexa--providing the city direction on how our neighborhoods grow, how our tax dollars are spent, and how services are offered. We operate as a link between our constituents and city staff, easing the solution of residents' issues and ensuring their voices are heard when we make changes to our policy and code.
Campaign Phone
8165486135
Personal Biography
I have called Lenexa home for most of my life. I grew up here, went to Shawnee Mission Public Schools, and now live in Ward 1 with my wife, Stephanie, and our two energetic little boys. By trade, I am an attorney and a small business owner, co-founding a civil litigation firm. I obtained both my undergraduate and law degrees from KU.
Education
Bachelors of Science (Business/Accounting) from the University of Kansas; Law Degree from the University of Kansas School of Law.
Community/Public Service
Lenexa holds a special place in my heart. From fishing derbies at Sar-Ko-Par Park and competing in the Lenexa BBQ to Friday Night Soundbites, the Chili Festival, the Spinach Festival, and exploring the parks and trails with my kids—I have lived and breathed everything that makes Lenexa great.
The overarching critical need for Lenexa is to put Lenexans first, period. This means to stop pushing for homeless shelters, stop pushing for apartment developments, and stop approving plans that only benefit a select few, instead of families. We need to get back to what makes Lenexa great--parks & rec, affordable housing for families to start their lives, and a sense of neighborly spirit.
I have been fortunate enough to live in Lenexa for pretty much my entire life. I came home from the hospital in the 1980s to Lenexa and now raise children of my own here. Because of this, I know what the heart and soul of Lenexa is all about.
Further, as a practicing attorney, I have expertise in zoning laws, city codes, and regulations. I will use this skill when approving (or not approving) proposed plans and development for the city.
I don't know about you all, but I feel like when I vote in national (or even state) elections, the politicians truly do not have the constituents' best interests at heart. The cool thing about city councils is that the members live in the community--so they better have their constituents' best interests at heart!
That is what makes the Lenexa City Council so important and vital to the local government. It is representation at its purest form. And I want to be part of that.
