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BRENDA SEDLACEK grew up in Hanover, in Washington County, Kansas, where her family was in the furniture business. She isn't surprised that she decided on a career in city government, as she's always been interested in government and politics. Her career choice was natural.

After coursework in business, communications and political science, Brenda received a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences from K-State in 1991. To fund her collegiate expenses, Brenda worked in the K-State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics where she assisted in various development activities for the men's basketball program. She stayed at K-State to pursue a Master of Regional and Community Planning.

With a population of approximately 6,000, Concordia, Kansas, was Brenda's first home after completing her education. She worked as Director of Community Development from 1993 to 1997, and in that capacity Brenda was responsible for the administrative and professional activities of community development, planning and code enforcement. She also served as the assistant to the City Manager. From April of 1996 through July of 1997, Brenda was the Acting City Manager. That experience included supervision and evaluation of department heads, budget preparation and presentation, litigation management, and a major water and sewer utility relocation project. Brenda also held a seat on the North Central Regional Planning Commission Board of Directors for almost four years.

Brenda believes that her rural background helped her tremendously in undertaking the various responsibilities she held in Concordia. She related to the independent nature of small towns and citizens' desires to maintain local control of their communities. Being raised in a family where she learned about business gave her an appreciation for being entrepreneurial and a realization that solutions to problems come only from hard work and determination.

In the summer of 1997, Brenda accepted her current position as the Assistant City Administrator of La Vista, Nebraska, which has a population of 13,000. The City of La Vista, located in metropolitan Omaha, was named Nebraska's fastest growing city in July of 2003. The population gain of 4.6 percent was more than double that of any other city in the state. During the past 5-7 years, La Vista has experienced tremendous growth in all areas, resulting in approximately 900 residential acres, 280 commercial acres and 800 industrial acres of new development. While this growth is essential for creating diversity and expanding the City's tax base, the provision of quality and effective public services has been at the forefront of Brenda's duties in meeting the challenges and demands of a growing community.

As Assistant City Administrator, Brenda assists in the direction, administration and coordination of operations of the City government in accordance with professional and administrative standards, municipal ordinances, and general policy established by the City Administrator and City Council. She assists with directing and controlling the overall operations of the City to assure optimum services to the community and provides direct oversight to departmental activities or staff as appropriate. She also serves as the acting City Administrator in the City Administrator's absence.

Part of Brenda's current duties include managing the Community Development Department. In addition to working with developers, architects, engineers, attorneys, contractors, and owners on development related issues, Brenda has been responsible for directing the development of a Master Parks and Recreation Plan, the update of the City's Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations, and the development and implementation of commercial building design guidelines and criteria. She is also responsible for special projects, which most recently has involved the coordination and management of all phases of the design, development and construction of a new police facility which opened in August of 2003.

Brenda is a member of the International City/County Management Association, the Nebraska City Management Association, and the American Planning Association. Brenda obtained the ICMA Credentialed Manager designation in January of 2003 and has been recognized by ICMA for her 10 years of public service.