Kewaskum Village Board Appoints New Administrator

The Kewaskum Village Board unanimously appointed Cassandra Hiller, MPA, as the village’s next administrator during its Monday, Sept. 28 meeting at Kewaskum Village Hall.

Village President Mary Schlitt made the motion to appoint Hiller to the position, which has been vacant since the resignation of the previous administrator on July 20. The village partnered with Innovative Public Advisors (IPA), a public-sector recruitment and strategy firm, to conduct the executive search for the position.

Hiller brings more than 15 years of local government and public-sector leadership experience to Kewaskum. Most recently, she served as assistant city manager for the City of Elgin, Illinois. She previously served as village administrator for the Village of Salem Lakes, Wisconsin, as well as city administrator and economic development director for the City of Brainerd, Minnesota.

Hiller holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Dakota and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Western Washington University.

“Throughout the process, Cassandra demonstrated the leadership experience, communication skills, and collaborative approach the Board is seeking in our next Administrator,” Schlitt said in a village press release. “Her experience leading Wisconsin municipal government, combined with her background in economic development and organizational leadership, will be a tremendous asset for the Village.”

During her time as village administrator in Salem Lakes, Hiller led the organization through a period of significant transition, including rebuilding its leadership team, developing the village’s first Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)-style categorical budget and capital improvement plan, negotiating labor agreements and identifying nearly $1 million in savings through contract renegotiations and competitive bidding.

Her experience also includes economic development, financial management, strategic planning, human resources and intergovernmental collaboration.

“I am incredibly thankful to the Village Board for the opportunity to serve and the confidence they have placed in me,” Hiller said. “Kewaskum has tremendous positive momentum, and I am excited to become an active member of the community as we work together toward Kewaskum’s future,” said Hiller in a press release from the Village of Kewaskum.

As village administrator, Hiller will serve as Kewaskum’s chief administrative officer, providing leadership and oversight of municipal operations and implementing policies and priorities established by the Village Board. The position also includes responsibilities involving financial management, personnel administration, economic development, long-range planning, community engagement and intergovernmental relations.

Hiller will begin her service with the Village of Kewaskum on Tuesday, Sept. 29.