John Michael Handley appointed to serve on Lenexa City Council

Published on January 21, 2025

During the Jan. 21, 2025, Lenexa City Council meeting, John Michael Handley was appointed to fill the vacant Ward 1 City Council position. Handley, a dedicated community member with four years of experience on Lenexa’s Planning Commission, was sworn in during the meeting.

The position became vacant with the passing of longtime council member Joe Karlin who served Ward 1 since 2009. Lenexa City Code stipulates that vacancies on City Council are filled through an appointment by the mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council. 

“I am pleased to welcome John and am confident he will do an exceptional job representing Ward 1,” said Mayor Julie Sayers. “His familiarity with our staff and understanding of our processes make him a valuable addition to the Governing Body."

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to expand my engagement and responsibility with the City of Lenexa,” said Handley. “My now-husband and I moved to Lenexa in 2019 and quickly decided we wanted to stay as long as possible. In 2020, I joined the Planning Commission out of a desire to contribute and give back to the community. This is an exciting chance to build on that work.”

Applications were open for nearly a month, and 16 residents applied for the vacant position.

“This process showcased the incredible dedication and enthusiasm of Lenexa residents who are eager to serve our community,” said Mayor Sayers. “Speaking with each candidate was a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are to have residents who care so deeply about our city."

Handley was appointed to the Lenexa Planning Commission in 2020 and served as the Planning Commission liaison to Lenexa’s Comprehensive Plan steering committee. In his professional life, he serves as a senior project manager for Diode Ventures (a Black & Veatch subsidiary), working on development of utility-scale renewable energy assets and hyperscale data center campuses. Handley has an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering and a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Kansas. He is currently pursuing an MBA from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

Handley will serve the remainder of Council Member Karlin’s term, which concludes in early December 2025 following the Nov. 4, 2025, election. Mayor Sayers will appoint Handley’s replacement to the Lenexa Planning Commission in the coming weeks.