City of Janesville Announces Finalists for City Manager Search

City Manager Finalists: Rebecca Houseman, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager for the City of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and Colin Kennedy, MPA, City Manager for the City of Newport, Rhode Island

JANESVILLE, Wis. (August 18, 2026): The City of Janesville has selected two finalists to advance in the recruitment process for its next City Manager: Rebecca Houseman, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager for the City of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and Colin Kennedy, MPA, MA, City Manager for the City of Newport, Rhode Island.

Houseman brings more than 20 years of local government experience and has served as Fort Atkinson City Manager since 2021. Her career also includes leadership roles with the Village of Darien and City of Beloit, as well as an early-career internship with the City of Janesville. Kennedy brings more than 20 years of executive-level public service experience and has served as City Manager of Newport since 2024. He previously completed a 22-year career with the United States Navy, including service in senior command and executive leadership positions.

The finalists have interviewed twice with the City Council. They will participate in the next phase of the selection process on Wednesday, August 26. The day will include a final interview with the Janesville City Council, an interview with City department heads and division officers, a community stakeholder panel, and a city tour.

The City Council will consider feedback gathered throughout the process as it works toward selecting Janesville’s next City Manager.

The executive recruitment process is being facilitated by Innovative Public Advisors (IPA), a public sector executive recruitment and strategy firm. For more information, please contact IPA Partner and Interim City Manager Jay Shambeau at 262-355-6102 or jay@public-advisors.com. More information is available at www.public-advisors.com/janesville.