The Denver City Council appointed Bonita Roznos as its executive director on Monday, finally filling a position that had been vacant since Linda Jamison left in late August 2020.

The council’s executive director has been a revolving door in recent years. Jamison spent less than a year in the position after being hired in January 2020. Her predecessor, Leon Mason, served as executive director for just short of 2½ years before he was fired in September 2019.

City officials said Denver’s hiring freeze during the pandemic, as well as new employee engagement surveys, delayed the executive director hiring process. During Monday night’s City Council meeting, council members unanimously approved Roznos’ hiring without discussion.

“Denver City Council and I are excited to welcome our new executive director,” Council President Stacie Gilmore said in a statement. “Bonita’s extensive experience in government operations will be a tremendous asset to our central team and provide invaluable support to council members and offices.”

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The council’s executive director oversees six legislative services staff, helps the council with budgeting and personnel functions and serves on the team that negotiates contracts for police officers, firefighters and sheriff deputies.

Roznos brings 25 years of administrative experience in higher education and municipal government. Most recently, she served as administrator for the Seattle Office of Hearing Examiner.

Prior to that, Roznos worked in senior administrative positions at a technical college, a private research university and colleges in the California State University and University of California systems. She was also council operations manager for the Sacramento City Council and deputy city clerk in Vallejo, California, and Shoreline, Washington.

Roznos has a doctor of education in leadership from City University of Seattle and a master of education in administration and a bachelor of sociology from the University of Southern California.

“Bonita Roznos has demonstrated experience well-suited to lead our City Council operations, assist our council members in their policy efforts, support employee growth, and develop a vision for the future,” Council President Pro Tem Jamie Torres said in a statement. “We look forward to having her leadership skills and knowledge on our City Council team.”

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