The Kansas Turnpike Authority employs nearly 500 people who are charged with maintaining and improving the roadway and its function as a vital corridor to move people and goods in Kansas. These employees are led by President/CEO Michael L. Johnston and his team of eight executive managers.
Michael L. Johnston joined the KTA at the start of 1995. Prior to this position, he served the state of Kansas as the Secretary of the Department of Transportation from 1991 through 1994. He is a former state senator and served 14 years in the Kansas Legislature. He also served as a former member and chairman of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, as well as numerous boards and commissions. Read his KTA BLOG.
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Alan Bakaitis is the Director of Toll Operations. He joined the KTA in 1998 with an extensive background in off-site employee management. He is currently in charge of the collection and movement of all non-electronic payment methods on the Turnpike. His staff consists of more than 250 toll personnel and seven supervisors that serve KTA customers from 22 different locations.
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Eric Becker began working for the Turnpike in 1998. His current position as Maintenance Director began in late 2005. His staff maintains the roadway and works closely with the Engineering Department to ensure the integrity of the pavement and structures that are the Kansas Turnpike.
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Capt. Joe Bott is a veteran to law enforcement. He is the Commander of the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Troop G which is assigned to the Turnpike. He also oversees the KTA’s dispatch center that is the hub of both patrol and maintenance communications on the Turnpike. He and his staff uphold both the mission of the Turnpike and that of the Kansas Highway Patrol.
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Lisa Callahan has 30 years experience as the Turnpike’s Public and Employee Relations Director. Her duties include customer, media and employee communication in both proactive and response situations and administration of the K-TAG program and its marketing and customer service call center and operations. Her staff works closely with all departments to enhance the travel experience of KTA customers and the day-to-day working environment of employees.
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Carl Compton has been a Certified Public Accountant for more than 15 years. He has been with the Turnpike for more than 20 years and played a vital role in the research and development of the Turnpike’s K-TAG program. His staff takes care of the daily financial operations associated with a business. Carl is dedicated to ensuring the Turnpike’s strong financial positioning and maintaining the Turnpike’s fiscal responsibility.
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Diana Dauner joined the KTA team in 2007. She provides scheduling and organizational assistance to the President/CEO and the Board. She assists in the overall execution of company policy and the management of office duties. She and an assistant ensure that all debt owed to the Turnpike for property damage is filed and collected in a timely manner.
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David Jacobson is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Kansas. He has been the Turnpike’s Chief Engineer since December 2005, but has served the KTA since 1994. He works with a staff of assistants, field personnel, and four other professional engineers to ensure the roadway is safe and the future needs of the roadway are addressed in a timely and logical manner.
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Marty Wiltse establishes the company’s technical vision and provides project management and contract negotiations. He leads the staff in the execution of technical strategy for all aspects of the Authority's technology related initiatives. Marty has worked for the Kansas Turnpike Authority for 34 years.
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Kansas Turnpike Authority
56 Years
236 miles from Kansas City, Kansas, to the Oklahoma border south of Wichita
Six: near Lawrence, Topeka, Emporia, Matfield Green, Towanda and Belle Plaine
Started with 14 and currently have 22
33,401,936 vehicles
$84.3 million
December 31, 1954
October 25, 1956
39 miles
62 miles
