Brownsburg hires economic development director as its town manager
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (WISH) — The governing council has hired a familiar face as the new Brownsburg town manager.
The Brownsburg Town Council selected Deb Cook, the town’s economic development director, for the job on Thursday, the council president announced Friday in a news release.
Cook has worked with the town government since 2020. She’s the first woman to hold the town manager job, the release said.
According to the town’s website, the town manager “manages daily operations and serves as the chief executive officer. Town facilities and operations include water and sewage treatment facilities, a street department, fleet maintenance garage, parks, and recreational facilities, fire and police, and administrative offices.”
Brownsburg has had co-managers — Assistant Town Manager Al Geans and Economic Development Director Debbie Cook — since the resignation of Jeff Eder on July 2. Eden served 26 months. Eden replaced town manager Grant Kleinhenz, who was fired by the council in August 2018.
Census records show Brownsburg grew from 21,285 people in 2010 to 28,973 in 2020.
News release
“The Brownsburg Town Council unanimously appointed Economic Development Director Deb Cook as Town Manager at its meeting on Thursday, January 27.
“Cook, who has been with the Town of Brownsburg since 2020, will be stepping up as Town Manager immediately, making her the first woman to hold the position, and the only woman to lead a municipality in Hendricks County.
“‘Deb is a proven leader and the Council was impressed by her extensive knowledge and background in a variety of municipal government fields, from development to public works to quality-of-life services,’ said Town Council President Travis Tschaenn. ‘She’s an excellent communicator and a true professional who I feel confident will lead our town in the right direction.’
“Cook brings a notable amount of government experience to the role, having served 19 years for the City of Kokomo. Her roles included working as a Planner/Community Specialist, Development Manager and ultimately Development Director. In 2012, Cook became the CEO of Kokomo’s Housing Authority.
“She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Indiana Wesleyan and a Master of Public Management from Indiana University. Cook also served as adjunct faculty at Indiana University-Kokomo, teaching undergraduate and graduate-level grant writing classes for nine years.
“‘I look forward to serving the Town and am excited about the continued progress and development in Brownsburg,’ said Cook. ‘Our commitment to making Brownsburg an optimal place to visit, live and invest will lead to long-term success for our Town.’”
News release issued Jan. 28, 2022, from Travis Tschaenn, Brownsburg Town Council president