Leading a city toward a better present and future takes a dedicated, well-coordinated staff across multiple departments. Ever since being elected mayor in December of 2023, City of Hobart Mayor Josh Huddlestun has eagerly sought new ways to bring positive and thoughtful changes to Hobart. One of the most crucial components of strengthening a city stems from putting the right people in place to lead it. This is why he is proud to have Chief of Staff Kelly Clemens and Parks and Event Director Julie Mandon impacting the city through their respective positions.
In February 2024, Clemens became the first-ever chief of staff after serving as director of Parks and Recreation for five years. Although she accepted her new position in February, Huddlestun likes to say that she began the role even before it was official.
“Josh likes to tell people that, because I'm involved, I don't like to stay in my lane. If I have an opinion on something, I like to give it because I want the greater good for all,” Clemens said. “Because of the position I have now, I am in everybody's lane. I think the biggest transition into this role involved organizing myself, giving everybody the proper time that they needed, and figuring out what was most important now and what could wait until later. Now, the mayor and I have developed a good pattern of work and learned how to divide and conquer.”
Clemens was elected chief of staff unanimously, and that level of whole-hearted support from the council was an honor that moved her and excited her for the position.
“When Mayor Josh took it to the council, a lot of people stood up and had such wonderful things to say about me, and it really caught me off guard and choked me up. I don’t like to talk about myself, so when other people do, it really hits home,” Clemens said. “To have the support and trust of people I look up to and work with every day blew me away.”
When Clemens stepped up to become chief of staff, Mandon stepped up to take her place in leading the Hobart Parks Department. Mandon has a long-standing history with the City of Hobart, having worked with the city since 2012 and interning even before that. With her history of working for the City of Hobart and previous work with events, Mandon seamlessly and eagerly transitioned into her role as Parks and Event Director.
“I get to do a little of everything with the events and the parks. On the recreation side, we are coordinating and trying new things with camps and trying to get more programming,” Mandon said. “We have a small staff right now, but we work well together. I have such a great staff that allows me to do the things that I can do.”
Working alongside people who are invested in the City of Hobart is one of the greatest joys of Mandon’s job. Having witnessed the operations and growth of the city for over a decade, she has enjoyed working with Huddlestun and admires his fresh perspective, intelligence surrounding the hiring and promotion of staff, and involvement in the Hobart community.
“New people bring new attitudes toward things, and he’s done a great job with choosing those people,” Mandon said. “Mayor Josh is so involved, and he is everywhere. He supports our parks and events. He comes out for Thursday markets and festivals, and his kids participate in our programming.”
Huddlestun, Clemens, and Mandon were all born and raised in Hobart and don’t plan on calling anywhere else home.
“My husband and I have three boys. My 5-year-old son goes through all the programs, one runs the pool, and one comes to all the Arts in the Park. Everybody is involved,” Mandon said.
After moving to the East and West Coasts for a few years when she was younger, Clemens felt drawn back to Hobart to raise her children and decided to make it her forever home.
“We love Hobart and all the things the Region has to do. My favorite thing about Hobart is how traditional we are: once a Brickie, always a Brickie. I think that is ingrained in us,” Clemens said. “When I talk to people in my community, I know them. I know their parents. Now, their kids are friends with my kids. The teachers teaching my kids are people that I actually went to school with. That’s what community is to me. I am excited to take that tradition and elevate it to the next level. We think about the future while embracing tradition.”
For more information about the City of Hobart and the people leading it, visit cityofhobart.org.
