Brunswick appoints 1st woman to town manager position

The Brunswick Town Council on Monday appointed Julia Henze to the position of town manager, choosing a woman for the leadership position for the first time in the town’s 285-year history, according to the council.

Henze has served as interim town manager since February when she replaced John Eldridge, who had served in the role since 2014.

She will lead the town for the next 3 ½ years until her planned retirement at the end of 2027, according to the council.

Henze started working for the town in 2005, becoming deputy finance director in 2007 and finance director in 2014, according to the council. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Oberlin College and a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory. She practiced accounting in the private sector, and during her tenure in the Finance Department became a certified public finance officer.

She and her husband have lived in Brunswick for 32 years and raised their two children in town.

“Julia’s commitment to our community, coupled with her proven track record during her interim tenure, has convinced us that she is an outstanding candidate for the role of town manager,” Abby King, chair of the Town Council said in a news release. “We believe that her leadership will bring stability, continuity, and innovative ideas that will benefit all residents.”