Steven Johnson was born and raised on a cattle and grain farm near Assaria, Kansas. He was involved in the Assaria Lutheran Church, 4-H and Southeast of Saline school. Active in youth programs, Steven held several leadership positions, including the National President of the Rural Electric Youth Program.
After graduating from Southeast of Saline High School, Steven went on to study Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University, where he was elected Student Body President and graduated with honors.
After college, Steven went to work for Ameriprise, a financial services firm. He also received his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Chicago with an emphasis in finance and business policy.
At Ameriprise, Steven was awarded the firm’s highest individual and team awards for his lead in creating a software program calculating the highest return investment portfolio for a particular need. Between 1992 and 2013, he was able to not only calculate the portfolios but calibrate the success of the projections to meet reality. Steven continues to use this market and planning expertise in the state legislature as well as in his farming operations.
Steven was elected to the legislature in 2010. His financial and agricultural background have led to many key policy assignments. He has chaired the Tax Committee, the Insurance and Pension committees, and been a member of committees including Appropriations, Legislative Budget and Natural Resources Budget. These and other appointments have positioned him to find solutions to key issues facing Kansas.
Steven has put his investment expertise to work for several non-profit entities, including serving on the investment committee of his church, the K-State Foundation and the Kansas 4-H Foundation.