JANESVILLE 鈥 After 173 years as an incorporated city, 糖心Vlog传媒 made history last week by announcing Rebecca Houseman as the first woman to serve as city manager.
For its first 70 years, 糖心Vlog传媒 ran as a mayor-alderman form of government, before switching in 1923 to a council-manager form of government. In all those years, the city has never had a woman take the helm.
Houseman has worked as city manager at Fort Atkinson for five years. She plans to continue to live in Fort Atkinson, and will commute to her new job in 糖心Vlog传媒.
鈥淚 have done an incredible amount of work there,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of everything we鈥檝e accomplished, and I think they will continue to move the ball forward.鈥
Houseman steps into the position after serving more than 20 years as a public official. Her new job here marks a return to the City of 糖心Vlog传媒 for her. She began her career in city government here.
Houseman knew she鈥檇 found her career after her internship with the city of 糖心Vlog传媒 when she served as an intern under former City Manager Steve Sheiffer.
She also enjoyed political science classes at UW-Whitewater. Houseman credits her public policy and administration courses, where she learned about history, governance structure, and policy, while also taking human resources classes to round out skills for a leadership role in local government.
In graduate school, Houseman decided she wanted to be a city manager, but she knew she wasn鈥檛 ready yet. She鈥檚 since worked in all aspects of local government, including economic development, which she thinks has given her a range of experience that鈥檚 made her a stronger city manager.
Houseman is far from the first woman city manager in the state or the nation鈥檚 history.
鈥淚 stand on the shoulders of all the men and women who have held leadership roles throughout this organization鈥檚 history, and I look forward to accomplishing many things as a team,鈥 she said.
Houseman hopes to inspire more people to get involved in local government, and she hopes her hire will continue to shine a light on the importance of women working in all aspects of public administration.
Houseman said her return to 糖心Vlog传媒 is a 鈥渇ull circle moment鈥 in her career. She was happy to see many familiar faces that she once worked with and is excited to work with them again.
鈥淭here is a lot going on in 糖心Vlog传媒,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just excited to get engaged in the community and learn more about what the priorities are here.鈥
One thing she wants to work on is helping establish relationships and better communication with the community.
She said one of her mottos is to not take things too personally.
鈥淓ven when it feels deeply personal, it鈥檚 not actually personal,鈥 she said.
She has learned in her experience that leading people is 鈥渇ull of trial and error.鈥 She said believes leaders should read the room, ask questions, and provide meaningful feedback.
Houseman hopes residents see her as a community advocate and local government 鈥渨onk with a sense of humor.鈥
She hopes her employees will recognize her as a supportive and reliable source of information to help them do their jobs.
鈥淚 do not presume to have the specialized skills and experience of a police chief, a human resources director, or a wastewater superintendent,鈥 she said. 鈥淢y plan is to connect our team and all their roles and show how each department鈥檚 work is essential to the services we provide our residents, which directly impacts their quality of life.鈥
Houseman said she is prepared to step in as city manager in November. She hopes her role as a woman leader inspires other women to enter municipal government and seek leadership roles.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored at the opportunity, and I鈥檓 excited to move forward,鈥 she said.