MEET KEITH
FOR OUR COMMON GOOD
I am running for our common good. I believe that a strong democracy is the best route to a bright future for Kansas, but too often the voices of our community haven’t made it to Topeka. I am passionate about representing the real concerns of this district and advocating for practical solutions to everyday problems like childcare, schools, jobs, and roads.
I have a proven track record of leadership that empowers others. I now serve as the Executive Director for both the Missouri Center for Employee Ownership and the soon-to-be Kansas Center for Employee Ownership, nonprofit organizations raising awareness for employee ownership as an economic development and exit planning strategy for retiring business owners.
Previously, I served the people of Johnson County. After working in the County Manager’s Office, I transitioned to lead community relations for Johnson County Mental Health Center where I was responsible for communications during the pandemic and helped launched the National Co-Responder Conference.
During the pandemic, I went back to school to earn my Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri.
I was ordained as a minister in the Church of the Nazarene and served in ministry for 15 years. Part of that ministry included coordinating new church development for the Church of the Nazarene across North America. While serving at churches too small to pay a salary, I got a second job at Johnson County Community College. I spent five years in Student Life advocating for student engagement and directing the Cavalier Leadership Development Program.
I grew up in a rural community in Illinois and was raised by my mother, an elementary school teacher and Nazarene pastor. While finishing college at Olivet Nazarene University, I married my high school sweetheart, Allison, whom I met through Nazarene Bible Quizzing.
We moved to Kansas in 2008 for me to attend Nazarene Theological Seminary. We have four children and two dogs and have lived in Gardner since 2015.
I enjoy reading, listening to podcasts, and watching Star Wars, Schitt’s Creek, and Parks and Recreation. I always love a good conversation about faith, politics, or science fiction (in that order).
