BPU's Johnson named president of Kansas Municipal Utilities

News Release:

William Johnson, Manager of Electric Operations and Technology for the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU), has been named the 2012-2013 President of Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU). 

The appointment came at the organization’s 84th annual conference last week in Wichita.  Kansas Municipal Utilities is the statewide trade association supporting and representing 176 municipal electric, natural gas, water and wastewater utilities across the state. 

As president, Johnson is charged with leading the association that advocates for municipal systems before Congress, the Kansas Legislature and other regulatory agencies.  KMU also provides educational, job training and safety, operation and maintenance and other consulting services to the utility industry.

Johnson was named President May 3, 2012 at the 2012 KMU Conference.  In a special ceremony at the conference banquet, the presidential gavel was passed from 2011-2012 KMU President Greg DuMars, City Administrator for the City of Lindsborg, Kansas.

In his role as president, Johnson governs the 26-member KMU Board of Directors and 6-member Executive Committee and helps guides the organization in its mission “to provide exceptional leadership and service in the advancement and protection of municipal utilities in Kansas.”

His first duty as KMU President was to serve as chairperson for the association’s annual business meeting.  The meeting is held once a year at the conference to conduct the formal business of Kansas Municipal Utilities. 

Johnson’s leadership comes at a crucial time for both the association and its member utilities, as federal, regional and state legislators and regulators debate significant changes for the industry. 

One of the association’s most pressing activities is representing municipal utility concerns with the challenges posed by newly proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. 

In addition, KMU is investigating the development of a new training field and facility that could provide hands-on educational opportunities for electric linemen, natural gas operators, water and wastewater crews, and other municipal utility professionals. 

Johnson will serve a one-year term as KMU president.