City of Olathe
Home MenuDean Vakas
Dean Vakas began his first term as Ward 2 City Councilor in January 2024. Vakas is a 30-year military veteran and retired Army Colonel. His military service includes: First Armored Division Brigade Commander in Europe, Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer of the Defense Logistics Agency in Washington, DC, and Director of Academic Operations for the Army’s Command & General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.
Since moving to Olathe, he has worked as Vice President of URS Corporation KC regional engineering operations, Associate Finance Vice President of Park University, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer of K-State’s Olathe Campus. Vakas is past Chair of Olathe’s Planning Commission, and past President of the Olathe Citizens Association.
He and his wife, Julie are born and raised in Kansas. They have lived around the world and feel fortunate to call Olathe home since 2006.
While always considerate of Olathe’s past, Dean Vakas has a special focus on helping Olathe rise to its full potential as the capital of Johnson County.
History of Volunteer Service & Affiliations
- Chair, City of Olathe Planning Commission (2015-2021)
- Board Member, Olathe Firefighters Outreach (2022)
- Board Member, City of Olathe Library System (2015-16)
- Board Member, Johnson County Animal Response Team (2011-2016)
- Kansas President, National Defense Transportation Association (2008-2018)
- President, Olathe Citizens Association (2013-2014)
- President, Cedar Creek Homes Association, Olathe, Kansas (2010-2011)
- Member, Johnson County Housing for All Task Force (2021)
- Member, Olathe 2040 Future Ready Community Advisory Committee (2018-2019)
- Member, American Planning Association (2015-2021)
- Member, Olathe Chamber of Commerce (Current)
- Member, Saint Dionysios Greek Orthodox Church (Current)
- Member, Veterans Community Project Honor Corps (Current)
- Member, American Legion Post 153 (2021-2022)
- Member, VFW, affiliated with Post 852 (Life)
- Member, Society of the 1st Infantry Division (Current)
- Member, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and Heartland Roundtable Education Committee Chair (2008-2011)
- Johnson County Citizens Academy (Class of 2022)
- Leadership Olathe (Class of 2008)
Academic Record
- Master of Public Administration, Kansas University, Lawrence, Kansas
- Master of Business Administration, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York
- Master of Science, Strategic Resource Management, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
- Master of Military Art and Science, U.S. Army Command & General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
- Bachelor of Science, Sociology and Political Science, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas
- U.S. Army Comptrollership Program, Syracuse, New York