MANHATTAN, KS, April 23, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Norman Dean Francis Jr. has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Francis has established a distinguished career spanning 25 years in the water distribution and wastewater maintenance sector, earning recognition for his expertise and leadership. Since 2024, he has served as a project manager at Bayer/Larson Construction, where he is responsible for sharing critical project information with underground utility work crews, manages large-scale projects involving multiple underground utilities, serving as the primary point of contact for multiple projects, reviewing shop drawings, submittals and plans, purchasing, reviewing administrative documents, conducting site visits and meeting with clients regarding underground utility information. Additionally, he provides quotes for work and schedules project completion, ensuring that all tasks are executed efficiently and to the highest standards.

Prior to joining Bayer/Larson Construction, Mr. Francis built a robust foundation during his tenure with the City of Manhattan. As superintendent of water distribution and wastewater collections. His role encompassed effectively overseeing budgets across four divisions, conducting plan reviews with comments, purchasing materials and equipment and communicating with crew supervisors on a daily basis. His rapid promotion to superintendent was a significant achievement, as advancement within municipal roles typically requires lengthy tenures.

Before attaining the superintendent position, Mr. Francis served as supervisor for the City of Manhattan. His earlier roles as equipment operator and maintenance worker provided him with hands-on experience in the field, laying the groundwork for his later success. It was during his time as a maintenance worker that a supervisor recognized his leadership potential—a pivotal moment that set him on a path toward advancement in the utilities sector.

Throughout his career, Mr. Francis has been an active member of the Flint Hills Area Builders Association, reflecting his commitment to professional development and industry engagement. He is also recognized for achieving expert status in water distribution and wastewater maintenance.

Mr. Francis's educational background includes coursework at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. He also has held a wastewater collection certification, which has further validated his technical proficiency in the field. Beyond his formal education, a strong support network has played a vital role in his achievements. He attributes much of his success to the encouragement he has received from colleagues at work and from his wife, who has provided steadfast support throughout his career.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Mr. Francis has demonstrated a deep commitment to civic engagement. For approximately 15 years, he volunteered as a coach for youth sports—including basketball, football and baseball—guiding young boys and men on traveling teams. His involvement extended to coaching his own sons as well as other young athletes in the community. Additionally, he serves as the Riley County Rural Water District Number One water maintenance representative.

In his personal life, Mr. Francis deeply values family life. He has been married to Lashelle Francis for more than 33 years and is the father of two adult sons: Trey and Garrett. Mr. Francis also maintains close relationships with his four siblings. In addition to spending time with family, Mr. Francis enjoys watching basketball, baseball and football as well as playing golf. He and his wife are regular attendees at their local church.

Mr. Francis's dedication to excellence has been recognized through consistent "Exceed Standard" ratings on all annual performance evaluations during his tenure with the City of Manhattan. Looking ahead, he intends to focus on maintaining his health while continuing to nurture strong communication with family members—including his siblings and sons—and dedicating himself to being an exemplary husband. Professionally, he remains committed to delivering quality work with efficiency so that others can rely on him for assistance in both challenges and celebrations alike.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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