League of Kansas Municipalities Appoints Michael Johnston to Serve as Interim Executive Director

The League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM) has appointed Michael Johnston to serve as Interim Executive Director of the organization effective January 1, 2014. Johnston a native of Parsons, Kansas, retired in June of 2013 after eighteen (18) years as President/CEO of the Kansas Turnpike Authority. Johnston served 14 years in the Kansas Senate, the last six as Senate Democratic Leader. He joined the Finney administration in 1991 as a cabinet officer; first, as the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources and then as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation. He was appointed by Governor Hayden in 1987 to serve on the Governor’s Task Force on Highways and was instrumental in the 1989 passage of the Kansas Comprehensive Highway Program. From 1992-1995 he was a member and past-chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.

Johnston will replace Don Moler the current Executive Director of the LKM who announced his retirement last summer effective December 31, 2013 after twenty-eight (28) years of service with the League and fifteen (15) as the Executive Director.

The LKM Board has engaged The Mercer Group to conduct a national search to fill the position.

John Deardoff, President of LKM, said “finding an interim Executive Director was not an easy task and we are fortunate to have someone with the appropriate background and experience to lead the organization during the interim period. Johnston brings a truly unique background to the LKM and I am confident he will serve us well”.

Michael Johnston said "I am very excited and pleased to be joining the League’s staff during this time of transition. I am confident that my work history and broad experience uniquely prepares me for this important assignment and I am anxious to meet the staff and seek their help in advancing an agenda that adds to the quality of life for the citizens of our Kansas cities”.

Liberal City Commissioner Joe Denoyer has served on the Governig Body of The League of Kansas Municpalities for the past 4 years, and is also on the search committee.