Joanne Keene has been appointed as the new City Manager for Flagstaff, effective November 4. Her selection follows an open and competitive recruitment process that considered 34 qualified candidates.
Mayor Becky Daggett commented on the appointment, stating, “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 holds both a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in English and broadcast journalism from Northern Arizona University. She is active on several local committees and boards, including the Mountain Line Technical Advisory Committee, the Coconino Plateau Water Advisory Committee, and the Coconino Community College Foundation Board. She is also recognized as a Flinn-Brown Fellow.
A resident of Flagstaff for over two decades, Keene lives with her husband John and their rescue dog Mabel. In her statement regarding her new position, Keene said, “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.”
