The search is over.
Following an extensive search that garnered nearly 120 applications, the city of Sedona has chosen its new deputy city manager and they didn’t have to look very far. After all, she’s coming from within the same area code.
The city announced late last week that Joanne Keene was chosen to fill the position, which was formerly called the “assistant city manager.” Keene currently serves as the assistant county manager in Coconino County.
“Sedona is truly a special place and one of the most unique and beautiful communities in the world,” Keene stated in a press release. “I’m excited to bring my energy and experience to this exceptional organization and to begin working with the community.”
Keene expects to start in mid-May.
City Manager Karen Osburn, who held the position of both assistant city manager and community development director until being promoted in March, said Keene is a proven leader at all levels of government.
“Having spent the last 20-plus years in Northern Arizona, she is already familiar with the region’s challenges and opportunities and is well suited to help lead the city in its day-to-day operations and to assist with many of our larger initiatives like transit and housing,” she said.
“Given the high caliber of candidates from across the nation, we are even more fortunate to have found the most qualified and impressive candidate in our own backyard. I am thrilled that Joanne has agreed to join our team.”
According to the Cococnino County website, Keene has almost 25 years of experience in local, state and federal government. She has been in her current position for the past year, but was the county’s government relations director from 2007 to 2015.
She has served for five years as the executive vice president and chief of staff to Northern Arizona University. In addition, for eight years, she served in various roles in Arizona and in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Keene is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a master of public administration and a bachelor’s in English and broadcast journalism. She is also a certified public manager through Arizona State University.
Robert Pickels, the former Sedona city attorney who accepted a request to come out of retirement to serve as the temporary deputy city manager and assisted with the search, said he has known Keene for 15 years and is confident in her abilities.
“Joanne has been well known and respected within the Arizona public management community for many years,” he said. “I have had the pleasure of working with her in a couple of previous assignments and know that she will bring a high level of professionalism to this new position.”
A feature story on her will appear in a future edition of the Sedona Red Rock News following her arrival.
