Kenmore, WA — Following a competitive national search process, the City Council has appointed Teri Killgore as Kenmore’s next City Manager. Killgore will officially begin her role on September 8, bringing three decades of public service experience, a collaborative leadership style, and a clear set of values that guide her work—integrity, transparency, fiscal responsibility, inclusion, and creativity. She is eager to partner with community members, businesses, and City staff to help shape Kenmore’s future.
Killgore began her public service career in 1995 and was most recently the Economic Development Director for the City of Scottsdale, Arizona. Over the years, she has held leadership roles including Downtown Redevelopment Manager for the City of Chandler, Arizona; Assistant to the City Manager for the City of San Jose, California; and Assistant City Manager for the Cities of Vallejo and Walnut Creek, California. She holds a Master of Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
Raised in a family of police officers and teachers, Killgore grew up with the guiding principle of “working hard to make things better than you find them.” She values the unique opportunity local government provides to directly improve quality of life in the community.
In her first year, Killgore’s top priority is to get to know the community, City Council, and City staff. She is focused on learning about ongoing projects and initiatives, as well as identifying emerging opportunities and challenges. “An early area of focus will be a deeper dive into our finances and the recommendations of the Financial Sustainability Plan Task Force to build an action plan for addressing the gaps,” Killgore said. “Affordable housing, continued downtown evolution, and the Lakepointe project will be other top priorities in the first year.”
Killgore’s leadership approach is grounded in connection and collaboration. She emphasizes actively engaging with the community to understand both successes and areas of improvement. “You can expect to see me out in the community having conversations, learning more about what’s working in our city and what needs special attention,” said Killgore. “I hope everyone sees themselves as a valuable part of Team Kenmore and its future.”
Outside of work, Killgore enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, their cat and dog, and staying connected with her daughter, who is attending college on the East Coast. She also enjoys hiking, visiting the beach, ballroom dancing, trying new restaurants, and, fun fact, she has been skydiving twice (once solo, once tandem).
When asked what excites her most about Kenmore, Killgore points to the community’s pride and active participation. “Whether it’s shopping at the farmers market, visiting downtown businesses, or serving through nonprofits and City committees, the community is actively taking part. This spirit will continue to propel Kenmore upward,” she said.
Stephanie Lucash has served as Kenmore’s Interim City Manager since March 2025, following the departure of previous Kenmore City Manager Rob Karlinsey. Lucash will return to her previous role as Deputy City Manager on September 8. “The Kenmore City Council and whole City team want to thank Stephanie Lucash for her strong leadership, unwavering integrity, and dedicated professionalism throughout this interim period,” said Kenmore Mayor Nigel Herbig. “We are grateful for her service, are appreciative of her hard work, and are pleased that Stephanie will continue to be a valued member of the City’s leadership team.”
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