Joanne Keene. Courtesy phoito.
FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Mayor and City Council have named Joanne Keene as the new City Manager. Keene will begin in the role effective Nov. 4 and was selected after participating in an open and competitive recruitment process.
Mayor Becky Daggett said “Joanne is a proven leader with deep roots in Flagstaff. The City Council was unanimous and enthusiastic in our belief that she is the right person to lead our City. Her selection from a pool of 34 qualified candidates speaks to her track record, skills, and new ideas about the future direction of our City. Please join me in welcoming Joanne to this new role”.
Keene brings over 25 years of experience in city, county, federal, and higher education leadership, coupled with a strong commitment to the Flagstaff community. Prior to being named City Manager, she served as the Deputy City Manager for the City of Flagstaff, Deputy City Manager for the City of Sedona, Deputy County Manager for Coconino County, and Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at Northern Arizona University. She is an International City/ County Management Association (ICMA) Credentialed Manager and values fiscal responsibility, clear communication, and transparency.
Keene is a Northern Arizona University graduate with a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in English and broadcast journalism. She serves on numerous local committees and boards, including the Mountain Line Technical Advisory Committee, the Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Committee, and the Coconino Community College Foundation Board, and is a Flinn-Brown Fellow. She and her husband John have lived in Flagstaff for more than 20 years. You can find them on the trails in and around Flagstaff with their rescue dog Mabel.
Keene shared “I am honored to serve as Flagstaff’s City Manager and deeply appreciate the Council’s trust and confidence in me. As a long-time resident of Flagstaff, I care deeply about this community and its people. I’m excited to work with council and alongside our staff and community to make Flagstaff an even better place to live, work, and thrive.”