As the Director of Public Works/City Engineer for the City of De Soto, KS, Joe oversees street and fleet maintenance, water distribution, sanitary collection, and water and wastewater plant operations. He also works with the Economic Development Council to bring new development to the city. Prior to this, Joe had a 30-year career working for the City of Leawood, KS, as the Director of Public Works, and the City of Overland Park, KS.
Johnson served on the Kansas City Metro Chapter Executive Committee for almost twenty years (including all officer positions), has served on chapter committees, and has served over ten years as the Delegate on the Council of Chapters. He served as one of the Co-Chairs for the 2018 PWX Steering Committee and was named a Top Ten Public Works Leader of the Year in 2007. In December 2018, at the KC Metro Chapter Annual Holiday Party, he received the Ken Cardwell Heart of America Award, which recognizes individuals who have served the chapter in an exemplary manner and through their efforts have bettered the public works community.