Prior to being elected Mayor, Billy Blackwell served Lansing as a city council member for eight years.

Mayor Blackwell retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant Colonel in 2001 and is currently employed as a defense contractor by Engineering Professional Services (EPS). He serrves as the team lead for a Signal (Communications) Support contract and teaches at the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth.

Mayor Blackwell's degrees are in General Administration (MS-Central Michigan University), Computer Resources and Information Management (MA-Webster University) and Adult, Occupational and Continuing Education (MS-Kansas State University).

Mayor Blackwell served on the Lansing Police Force as a reserve officer from 2000-2003 and on the Lansing Parks and Recreation Advisory Board from 2003-2006. He has also served on nunmerous steering and bid committees.

Mayor Blackwell is a member of the local Rotary Club, where he is involved in numerous programs that benefit the greater Leavenworth County area, including Meals On Wheels, Leavenworth Youth Leadership Class, Dictionaries for Elementary School Students and the Backpack Buddy Program.

Mayor Blackwell is originally from Gaffney, SC. He enjoys fishing, community service and quality time with his family. He has been married to Paulette since 1973. They have one son and three grandchildren.