Effective May 1, 2024, Brenda Jensen will become Kearney’s new City Manager.
At the April 23, 2024, City Council meeting, the Kearney City Council approved the employment agreement with Ms. Jensen, officially appointing her as the new Kearney City Manager.
Following the retirement of longtime City Manager, Michael Morgan in January 2024, Ms. Jensen served as the Interim City Manager.
Before her appointment, Ms. Jensen also served as the Deputy City Manager and Director of Development Services; she has been with the City for over five years.
“It is wonderful to have an internal candidate who not only has the skills but also has the passion for leading our growing community,” said Mayor Stan Clouse. “Brenda has spent years learning the city from the inside out. She has learned the culture of service, transparency, and efficiency to ensure Kearney continues to be a top city in Nebraska. Like her predecessor, Brenda and the City Council share the drive to innovate and find creative, new ways to deliver a powerful experience for everyone who chooses to live or visit Kearney.”
Prior to her time at the City, Ms. Jensen worked as a community planner and project manager for a private engineering and consulting firm. She assisted communities across Nebraska and Kansas work through housing, downtown rehabilitation, and economic development challenges. While at the City of Kearney, she has led the multi-faceted Development Review Team, which has become an instrumental aspect of facilitating the growth of the Kearney community. Ms. Jensen has participated in Leadership Kearney, Leadership Nebraska, and has served on various non-profit community boards.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be the next City Manager of Kearney. The position comes with great responsibility and I’m ready to give it my all,” said Brenda. “Kearney is a growing community with so much to offer. With all of the exciting projects occurring, I am fortunate to help guide the continued growth that has resulted in Kearney’s progressive ability to provide creative solutions while ensuring we continue providing the high level of service our community expects.”
