Commissioner Joseph F. Harkins

Joseph F. Harkins was appointed to the Kansas Corporation Commission by Governor Kathleen Sebelius on July 11, 2007.

Harkins, 68, has served in a variety of regulatory and public policy capacities throughout his career in state government. Most recently, he has served as director of the Kansas Energy Office at the KCC, and was special assistant and energy advisor to Governor Sebelius from 2003 to 2006. In addition, Harkins has held the positions of secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, director of the State Water Office and director of the University of Kansas Public Management Center.

Harkins has spent his professional career in public service as a cabinet secretary, educator and expert in issues including health care, energy and water policy. He spent more than a decade training the next generation of public administrators.

Harkins earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1960 from the University of Kansas, as well as a Masters of Public Administration in 1963 from KU.

Harkins and his wife, Judy, have three grown children and reside in Lawrence, Kansas.

Commissioner Harkins’ term expires March 15, 2011.