Mayor Russ Kessler grew up in south Wichita and joined the U.S. Navy after graduating High School.  After 23 years of service, Russ retired from the U.S. Navy and moved to Haysville in 2007.  Russ began his public service in 2009 after being appointed to serve on the Haysville Planning Commission, where he served for two years before being elected in 2011 to the Haysville City Council.  Russ served on City Council until being elected Mayor in 2021 and took office in January 2022.  Mayor Kessler currently serves on the Kansas Mayor’s Association Board of Directors as 2nd Vice President, League of Kansas Municipalities Governing Body Director, Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO) Transportation Policy Body (TPB) Vice-Chairman and Executive Committee Member, WAMPO Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Chairman; Regional Economic Area Partnership (REAP) of South Central Kansas Executive Committee and Treasurer; Haysville Park Board Chairman; Haysville Library Board; Haysville Land Bank Chairman; and Haysville Education Foundation Board Member.  Russ volunteered as a Den Leader of Haysville Cub Scout Pack 893 for five years, American Legion Post 408 member, and Haysville VFW Post 6957 Lifetime member.  He and his wife of 38 years, Sherry, have three adult daughters, a son that is a Sophomore at Campus High School, and nine grandchildren, five of which are in the Haysville school system and one that graduated from Campus.

 

Russ is a Department of the Army Civilian employee for the U.S. Army Reserves at the 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) in Wichita, working as the Deputy G6 Assistant Chief of Staff and Senior IT Specialist.  Russ completed the Mini MPA program at Wichita State University, earned an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force, Bachelors of General Studies from Fort Hays State University, and a Masters of Management Information Systems from Friends University.  His favorite things about Haysville include the people, his church family at Haysville Christian Church where he also serves as an Elder, the excellent school system, Recreation Department activities for kids, and the annual events like Village Christmas, Haysville Fall Festival, Party in the 060, and the Independence Day Celebration that contributes to the atmosphere of small community living, making Haysville a great place to live and raise a family.