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John J. Franke, Jr.
Biography
[EPA press release - September 29, 1981]
Anne M. Gorsuch, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, today announced the appointment of John J. Franke Jr. as Regional Administrator for EPA's four-state Region 7, headquartered in Kansas City.
Mrs. Gorsuch visited Region 7 headquarters today to announce Franke's appointment. The region encompasses the states of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska.
"John Franke draws on two decades as a successful businessman and 16 years experience in local government. The unique perspective he brings to EPA will further strengthen our efforts to involve state and local governments as full and active partners in the achievement of our environmental goals," Mrs. Gorsuch said.
Franke, 51, served nearly nine years as a Johnson County, Kansas, commissioner. In that capacity, he directed local sewer and wastewater programs, established the county's solid waste program and assisted in developing and enforcing environmental and health programs. Johnson County is the second largest and fastest growing county in Kansas.
As a member of the Mid-American Regional Council (MARC), the metropolitan Kansas City planning body, Franke served on solid waste and utilities policy committees and acted as co-chairman of the planning and community development policy committee.
From 1965 to 1972, he served Merriam, Kansas, as city councilman, president of the city council and mayor. He has also served as chairman of the National Association of Counties' labor and employee benefits steering committee, 1975-1981; chairman of the Kansas League of Municipalities human resources policy committee, 1974-1981, and the U.S. Department of Interior Regional Advisory Commission, 1973-1978.
Franke entered his family's business in 1952 and was president and chief executive officer of Franke Barber Supply Inc. until 1972.
He is a native of Tonkawa, Oklahoma, and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He is married and is the father of three sons.