A comfortable new office chair has moved into the second floor of downtown Flagstaff City Hall. As of May 30, Mr. Joan Kean is serving in his new post as Deputy City Manager, with the chair and accompanying desk. She also resigned from her recent position as Deputy City Manager of the City of Sedona, so she enjoys a great view of the San Francisco Peaks from her office window in exchange for views of Sedona’s red rocks.

Keene, who has lived in Flagstaff since 2004, was selected from about 200 Flagstaff candidates after a final interview on April 6. “When he left his last position, he gave me a picture of the San Francisco peaks that hung in his office, in Sedona,” Keane recalled. “Now I look forward to seeing the real thing every day!”

Keen joins City Manager Greg Clifton and Senior Deputy City Manager Shannon Anderson as part of the city’s executive leadership team. “We are very excited to have Joanne join our team,” said Clifton. “She knows Flagstaff very well and her qualifications are excellent, so she will be an immediate asset. We welcome her and look forward to her leadership.”

Her “amazing” qualifications, in addition to her most recent job in Sedona, include the post of Deputy Mayor of Coconino County and as Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff at Northern Arizona University. Keene, 48, has held an impressive 25 years in federal, state and local government positions in Arizona, including Director of Government Relations for Coconino County and Public Affairs Officer for the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

This quarter-century of service includes eight years in the United States House of Representatives, five of which were in Washington, DC.

She is also a Certified Public Manager through Arizona State University.

Keane became interested in local government during the Tempe Government Days event at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe. “Students can apply to follow elected officials and department heads,” she said. “I was chosen to follow up with the Director of Community Development. This experience exposed me to local government for the first time and certainly intrigued me. I quickly realized it was a place where I could raise my voice and the best way to make an impact.”

Keen is a graduate of Northern Arizona University. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English and Broadcast Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. She applied her journalism skills to several internships at radio stations. These included an internship with local broadcast personality Mitch Stroman on her radio morning show at KAFF and her internship as a DJ at Sunny97.

“My goal was to work in radio, but after doing an internship with the Arizona Legislature, I realized a bug in policy and moved into this field,” she said. “I have used my degree in my work as a Public Relations Officer and in several communications-related roles. increase.”

Keane recognized the many challenges facing the city and entered his new role with a focus on making a difference. “My skill is bringing people together to solve complex problems. City officials and elected officials are positive and committed. I really appreciate it and can’t wait to start working!”

Last year’s devastating wildfire season was central to her decision to return to Flagstaff. “During an interview, I told the story of a pipeline fire in our community. I was driving to Sedona to go to work and saw a fire burning in the mountains through my rearview mirror. It was heartbreaking to leave the community I loved and worked in to serve in another, and this is one of the reasons I applied for the position. We want to contribute to the communities we love and live in.”

On the other hand, she admits that her experience in Sedona is invaluable for her job in Flagstaff, as both cities face similar challenges. “Sedona has been impacted by housing issues and short-term rentals. We are having trouble finding housing for

She points out that both communities are trying to deal with the effects of wildfires and floods. “I’m really proud of what the cities of Flagstaff and Sedona have accomplished,” she said.

She says that working in government requires, among other things, being a problem solver, a good listener, political acumen and a flexible attitude.

Keane’s childhood was not spent in the United States. She was born in England and moved to America when she was eight years old. Her father, Brian, was an aerospace engineer who worked at Martin’s Marietta in New Orleans. Her family, including her mother Sheila and her sister, lived in New Orleans for several years before moving to the Phoenix area and settling in Tempe. The two brothers still live in England.

Keene acquired US citizenship while in high school. A few years after graduating from NAU, I was presented with a challenging offer. “I moved to Washington, D.C. and was given the opportunity to work at the Capitol. It was my dream.”

She supported two Arizona members and focused on representing Arizona, especially the state’s rural areas. “I have worked on several major policy initiatives, including the creation of the NAU’s Ecological Restoration Institute accreditation, the expansion of the Petrified Forest National Park, and the Tribal Water Settlement and Diversion Project,” she said. rice field. “It helped me understand how to solve policy problems.”

While in the Capitol, she met her current husband, John Comer, who was born and raised there. They met through kickball. “After five years in Washington, D.C., and a few tough years with 9/11 and the anthrax threat, we decided to move west. Convincing him to move to Flagstaff in 2004 was It wasn’t difficult.”

They married soon after moving to northern Arizona. Her move to Flagstaff, including her involvement with NAU, has been a rewarding one, she says.

“I love what NAU brings to this community through the arts, culture, athletics, and the energy that students bring to the community. During this time, I bridged relationships with the county and city and helped establish a shared neighborhood liaison system between the City of Flagstaff and NAU. I am proud of the work I have done and look forward to continuing it as I work in the City of Flagstaff.”

In her spare time, Keen enjoys trail running with her husband, who works for a financial institution in Coconino County, and Mabel, a rescue dog. “She came to us at five weeks old and had a large bite and a broken jaw. At the shelter her name was Angel because when she came in they I didn’t think she could make it through the night.”

The couple also love hiking around the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff, especially the Arizona Trail at Aspen Corner in the fall. Keene also loves cooking. “I love cooking because it allows me to complete something (a recipe),” she said. “At most of the jobs I’ve had, projects she doesn’t complete in a day. Cooking is my stress reliever!”

She also loves that her career has brought her back to the mountain town. “There are many reasons why I love Flagstaff. The people of Flagstaff are friendly and caring. The community is innovative and supportive. It really feels like coming home.” FBN

Betsy Bruner, FBN

Photo credit: Joan Keane and her husband John Comer enjoyed a trail running trip in the Dolomites, a mountain range in northeastern Italy.