City Manager's Office

The City Manager is responsible for the implementation of Council policies and priorities. The City Manager’s Office provides leadership and direction to all departments of the City, coordinates the official business of the City Council, submits and administers the annual budget and capital improvement programs, and acts as liaisons among the City Council, citizens, and the City organization.

Interim City Manager: Sara Hensley
- Office (940) 349-8307 Fax (940) 349-8596
- Sara.Hensley@cityofdenton.com
Sara Hensley joined the City of Denton in May 2019 as the Assistant City Manager, was promoted to Deputy City Manager in July 2020, and is currently serving as Interim City Manager. Hensley brings with her more than 23 years of public service and leadership experience to the position. Hensley most recently served as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Austin and served as Interim Assistant City Manager for two years. She led large-scale teams in multiple program and service areas and operations, served as the executive lead for several citywide cross-departmental efforts, and had frequent interaction with elected officials, community stakeholders, and residents.

Hensley holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from the University of Arkansas and is a graduate of the Executive Development Program at Indiana University. Prior to her recent roles with the City of Austin, Sara was the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Phoenix, Arizona; Director of Neighborhood Services, Animal Services and Parks and Recreation for the City of San Jose, California; and the Director of Parks and Recreation for City of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Assistant City Manager/CFO: David Gaines
- Office (940) 349-8260 Fax (940) 349-8596
- David.Gaines@cityofdenton.com
David Gaines was promoted to the role of Assistant City Manager in July 2020. Gaines was previously the City’s Finance Director and brings more than 12 years of municipal experience to the position. Prior to joining the City, Gaines was the Deputy Director of Finance with the City of Dublin, Ohio. Gaines began his career with the City of Carrollton and has worked for the City of Grand Prairie, City of Celina, and Brushy Creek Municipal Utility District. Gaines has led many large projects, fostered a culture of collaboration, and prioritized transparency and accountability throughout his career.

Gaines received both a Bachelor’s in Economics and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Texas.
Interim Assistant City Manager & Chief of Police: Frank Dixon
- (940) 349-8181
- Frank.Dixon@cityofdenton.com
Frank Dixon was sworn in as the Chief of Police on Oct. 11, 2018 and is also currently serving as Interim Assistant City Manager. Prior to coming to the City of Denton, Chief Dixon spent more than 23 years at the Austin, Texas Police Department. Throughout his career, Chief Dixon worked in a number of assignments, including Patrol, Narcotics, Gang Unit, Major Crimes Task Force, Homicide, Patrol K-9, SWAT and Internal Affairs. As an Assistant Chief, he managed the South Patrol Bureau, Austin/Bergstrom International Airport, and Special Operations, which consisted of SWAT, Bomb Squad, Patrol K-9, and Air Support.

Chief Dixon is a United States Marine Corps veteran and obtained his Bachelor of Science (summa cum laude) and Master of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from Lamar University. He is also a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute and the Major Cities Chiefs Association Police Executive Leadership Institute. Chief Dixon enjoys working within the Denton community, serving on the Salvation Army Council, United Way of Denton County Board, and the CASA of Denton County Board of Directors.
Leadership Team

Antonio Puente, Jr., Executive Manager of Utilities (940) 349-7283
Antonio.Puente@cityofdenton.com, 215 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX 76201

Scott McDonald, Director of Development Services (940) 349-8539
Scott.McDonald@cityofdenton.com, 215 W. Hickory St. Denton, TX 76201

Jessica Rogers, Director of Economic Development (940) 349-7531
Jessica.Rogers@cityofdenton.com, 215 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX 76201

Rebecca Diviney, Director of Capital Projects, City Engineer (940) 349-8461
Rebecca.Diviney@cityofdenton.com, 901-A Texas St. Denton, TX 76209

Kenneth Hedges, Fire Chief (940) 349-8832
Kenneth.Hedges@cityofdenton.com, 332 E. Hickory St. Denton, TX 76201

C. Tyler Atkinson, Municipal Court Judge (940) 349-8140
Tyler.Atkinson@cityofdenton.com, 601 E. Hickory St. Denton, TX 76205

Jennifer Bekker, Director of Libraries (940) 349-8776
Jennifer.Bekker@cityofdenton.com, 502 Oakland St. Denton, TX 76201

Gary Packan, Director of Parks & Recreation (940) 349-7469
Gary.Packan@cityofdenton.com, 601 E. Hickory St. Denton, TX 76205

Frank Dixon, Police Chief (940) 349-7925
Frank.Dixon@cityofdenton.com, 601 E. Hickory St. Denton, TX 76205

Leisha Meine, Chief Technology Officer
Leisha.Meine@cityofdenton.com, 601 E. Hickory St Denton, TX 76205

Ethan Cox, General Manager of Public Works (940) 349-8044
Ethan.Cox@cityofdenton.com, 1527 Mayhill Rd. Denton, TX 76208

Scott Gray, Director of Facilities and CIP (940) 349-7744
Scott.Gray@cityofdenton.com, 5000 Airport Rd. Denton, TX 76207

Aaron Leal, City Attorney (940) 349-8376
Aaron.Leal@cityofdenton.com, 215 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX 76201

Tiffany Thomson, Director of Human Resources (940) 349-7401
Tiffany.Thomson@cityofdenton.com, 601 E. Hickory St. Denton, TX 76205

Cassandra Ogden, Director of Finance (940) 349-7195
Cassandra.Ogden@cityofdenton.com, 215 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX 76201

Christine Taylor, Director of Procurement & Compliance (940) 349-7889
Christine.Taylor@cityofdenton.com, 215 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX 76201

Sarah Kuechler, Chief of Staff/LGBTQ Liaison (940) 349-8356
Sarah.Kuechler@cityofdenton.com, 215 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX 76201

Ryan Adams, Director of Customer Service & Public Affairs (940) 349-8565
Ryan.Adams@cityofdenton.com, 215 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX 76201

Stuart Birdseye, Assistant to the City Manager (940) 349-8009
Stuart.Birdseye@cityofdenton.com, 215 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX 76201

Rachel Balthrop Mendoza, Assistant to the City Manager (940) 349-8420
Rachel.Mendoza@cityofdenton.com, 215 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX 76201

Brian Boerner, Director of Solid Waste (940) 349-8001
Brian.Boerner@cityofdenton.com, 1527 S Mayhill Rd., Denton, TX 76208

Danielle Shaw, Community Services Manager (940) 349-7237
Danielle.Shaw@cityofdenton.com, 601 E. Hickory St., Denton, TX 76205

Randi Weinberg, Animal Services Manager (940) 349-7598
Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, 3717 N. Elm St., Denton, TX 76207

Rosa Rios, City Secretary (940) 349-8309
Rosa.Rios@cityofdenton.com, 215 E. McKinney St. Denton, TX 76201

Stephen Gay, Director of Water and Wastewater (Interim) (940) 349-8087
Stephen.Gay@cityofdenton.com, 1659 Spencer Rd., Denton, TX 76205

City Secretary’s Office

The city secretary attends and records all City Council meetings, conducts City elections, and administers oaths of office to council members and other City officials. The city secretary is the custodian of City records and coordinates public information requests.

Rosa Rios
City Secretary
(940) 349-8309
Rosa.Rios@cityofdenton.com