John Michael grew up in Onaga, Kansas and attended the University of Kansas for both his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Master of Civil Engineering. He and his husband Grant moved to Lenexa in 2019 and immediately fell in love with the community.

Growing up, John Michael’s family modeled how to give back to the community. His grandfather was involved with the local water board while he was little, and his father became the school board president during John Michael’s teen years. Their example contributed to John Michael’s desire to do something for Lenexa, eventually steering him to the Planning Commission for nearly 5 years. In January 2025, John Michael was appointed by Mayor Julie Sayers to the vacant seat on Lenexa City Council.

In his free time, John Michael reads (currently wrapping up Brandon Sanderson’s Wind and Truth), exercises at the Lenexa Rec Center or on Little Mill Creek trail, cooks and bakes, and spends time with his husband Grant, cat Cricket, and family and friends.

He is pursuing an MBA through Henry W. Bloch School of Management at UMKC, and participated in the 2025 Leadership Lenexa cohort.