Officials

Chuck Johnston

Chuck Johnston was elected as Mayor on June 2nd, 2020 (election was postponed from April 7th due to COVID-19).   Mayor Johnston has worked at OOIDA since January 1988 where he created and managed their Insurance Claims Department for 25 years.  He retired from OOIDA in 2014, but after only 7 months decided that retirement was not for him.  He resumed his work at OOIDA in 2015, where he is currently employed.  Chuck has lived in Grain Valley since 2001 and has been active in the community, where he previously served as Alderman, Ward II for 10 years and 15 years on the Grain Valley Economic Development Committee.  He has served on the Board of Directors for State Bank of Missouri and the Victims Rights Committee for Oak Grove and Grain Valley.  In his 10 years’ involvement with the Grain Valley Lions Club, Chuck has held every officer position.  He also has volunteered as a cook at the Grain Valley Police Department’s National Night Out event for the last decade.  However, Mayor Johnston is most well-known for his volunteer service to the children of our community as THE GV Santa with his famous bus, which visits neighborhoods throughout town in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  Chuck started the GV Santa Bus tradition nearly 25 years ago.  He also served our country for four years in the United States Marine Corps.

Chuck married his wife, Diana in 1981.  They have two sons, 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.  He enjoys spending his free time golfing, following sports of all types and working on the Santa Bus.  His hopes for his tenure as Mayor is to do his best to meet the needs of the citizens of Grain Valley and guide the City into the future.

Jayci Stratton

Jayci Stratton has been a Grain Valley resident for over 14 years.  She was elected to the Board of Aldermen in April of 2018 and is now serving her 2nd term. She and her husband, Grain Valley Police Sergeant William Stratton, have two children, one who is a graduate of Grain Valley High School and one who is now a Senior. Stratton takes part in various volunteer opportunities at Crossroads Church in Grain Valley. She is the Board Liaison for the Park Board. Stratton has owned a business  – Studio Five Beauty Boutique – in Grain Valley since October 2018.

Tom Cleaver

Tom Cleaver was elected to his first term as Alderman to Ward I in April 2019.  Tom has worked for nearly 30 years for business to business sales, currently for Lippert Mechanical Service Company, where he is a Business Development Manager.  He’s been a Grain Valley resident for 14 years and enjoys the people who live within the community.  He also has a great appreciation for the schools and helped raise two step-children, who both graduated from Grain Valley High School.  Tom made the decision to run for Alderman as he looks forward to aiding more business growth, street improvements and ensuring the City’s infrastructure is in great condition for the City as it grows.  Tom volunteers for the Grain Valley Assistance Council and enjoys spending his free time exercising and traveling to warm places.

Darren Mills

Alderman Mills attended Ruskin High School and enlisted in the Navy, following his 1985 graduation. He served on the USS Prairie AD15 in Long Beach, CA. He works at Lifestyle RVs in Grain Valley as their Finance Manager. He was awarded Salesman of the Year in 2019 and 2020. He and his wife, Christina, have lived in Grain Valley since 2012 with their 3 children. They enjoy the small town feel and people who live here. Alderman Mills has served with the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) for the last 3 years and was President for a year and a half. He also serves on the guest relations team for Crossroads Church in Grain Valley. He enjoys bowling, going to Royals and Comets games and vacationing at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Alderman Mills looks forward to meeting the needs of Ward 2 residents and to help continue to make Grain Valley a place people want to call home. 

Rick Knox

Rick Knox was nominated as Alderman of Ward II on June 2nd, 2020 (election was postponed from original date on April 7th, 2020 due to COVID-19).  He has lived in Grain Valley, in the same home, since 1980.  He and his wife of 43 years raised 3 children here, who all graduated from Grain Valley High School.  Rick retired from the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District, after 35 years of years and attaining the rank of Assistant Chief.

Rick enjoys spending time boating at the Lake of the Ozarks and restoring antique semi-trucks.  He also can often be spotted around town on his golf cart, with best buddy, Tank – an English Mastiff.

Bob Headley

Bob Headley was elected to his first term as Alderman of Ward III in April of 2006 and has held the position since. During his tenure as Alderman, Headley was appointed by fellow Aldermen to multiple Mayor Pro Tem terms. He and his wife, Tina, moved to Grain Valley in 1991 after spending 6 years in the Navy. They have two sons, both who graduated from Grain Valley High School. After the Navy and working full time, Bob completed his undergraduate degree at Friends University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems in 1999. Headley earned his Master’s in Business Administration from Baker University in 2002. He is currently employed by ReeceNichols as their IT Manager. Headley has been involved with the community through many volunteer efforts, including with the Park Board in years’ past and at the annual Holiday Festival. He serves as the Board’s liaison for the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Shea Bass

Shea Bass was elected to his first term as Alderman to Ward III in April of 2019.  He works in construction management for a sheet metal subcontractor in Kansas City.  Alderman Bass served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for Grain Valley prior to his election to the Board of Aldermen.  He looks forward to being part of the Board as the community continues to grow and become stronger.  Alderman Bass has lived in Grain Valley for almost 3 years and most enjoys the people and the small-town feel, while being near to Kansas City.  He has two young children who will attend Grain Valley Schools in the upcoming years.  In his downtime, Alderman Bass enjoys spending time with his family, traveling all throughout the United States and spending time outdoors.