042319 Press Release - Denton Selects Assistant City Manager (April 2019) IOv FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DENTON Sarah Kuechler • (940) 349-8356 • Sarah.Kuechler@cityofdenton.com
City of Denton Selects Assistant City Manager
DENTON,TX,April 23,2019—City Manager Todd Hileman has announced the appointment of
Sara Hensley to the position of Assistant City Manager. Hensley brings with her more than 23
years of public service and leadership experience to the position. Hensley will begin as Assistant
City Manager effective May 13, 2019.
"Sara has proven to be an accomplished strategic leader bringing creative, collaborative solutions
to complex problems in several large communities and organizations," said Hileman. "She will be
a valuable asset to our management team to help us continue to lead the City of Denton forward."
Hensley most recently served as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Austin and
served as Interim Assistant City Manager for two years. In this role, she was responsible for the
oversight of five departments: Austin Public Health, Austin Public Library, Austin Parks and
Recreation, Austin Animal Services, and the Office of Real Estate. She led large-scale teams in
multiple program and service areas and operations, served as the executive lead for several
citywide cross-departmental efforts,and had frequent interaction with elected officials,community
stakeholders, and residents.
"I am thrilled to move into the role of Assistant City Manager for the great City of Denton," said
Hensley. "I am honored to join the many talented and high performing employees of the City. I
look forward to our work and engaging not only employees,but the community as a whole."
Hensley holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from the University of Arkansas
and is a graduate of the Executive Development Program at Indiana University. Prior to her recent
roles with the City of Austin, Sara was the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Phoenix,
Arizona; Director of Neighborhood Services, Animal Services and Parks and Recreation for the
City of San Jose, California; and the Director of Parks and Recreation for City of Virginia Beach,
Virginia.
In March, following the departure of former Deputy City Manager Bryan Langley, the City of
Denton started a selection process by working with executive recruitment firm Ralph Andersen&
Associates to launch a nationwide search for Assistant City Manager candidates. After a thorough
review and screening of 119 applicants, six finalists were interviewed over two days by interview
panels including cross-departmental representation from employees, department heads, and
executive staff.
Contact: Carla Romine, (940) 349-8344, Carla.Romine@cityofdenton.com
Visit www.cityofdenton.com for more news and to stay updated.
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