Washington Mayor Lilija Stevens is pleased to announce that the City of Washington has appointed Jeff Fiegenschuh as its next City Administrator following a thoughtful and competitive national search.
The recruitment process was conducted in partnership with Arndt Municipal Support, Inc. and attracted a strong pool of highly qualified candidates from across the country. After careful consideration, the Mayor and City Council selected Fiegenschuh for his extensive experience in municipal leadership, proven commitment to public service, and values-driven approach to local government.
“Our City Council worked collaboratively and with great care throughout this process,” Mayor Stevens said. “We are truly grateful for the interest we received nationwide. Jeff demonstrates a genuine commitment to public service, ethical leadership, and organizational excellence, and we are excited to welcome him to our team and our community.”
Fiegenschuh brings more than 22 years of local government experience to Washington. Most recently, he has served as City Manager for the City of Rochelle, Illinois, where he has led strategic infrastructure investments, strengthened core municipal services, and supported responsible growth while maintaining a strong focus on fiscal stewardship for the past eight years. He is also currently the Downstate President of the Illinois City/County Management Association (ILCMA). His background includes a strong emphasis on organizational leadership, staff development, succession planning, and collaborative governance.
Fiegenschuh holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Cum Laude, from Wayne State College. He is an ICMA Credentialed Manager and has completed advanced leadership training through the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia, Harvard Kennedy School’s Strategic Leadership Program, and several nationally recognized ICMA leadership institutes. He is also an alumnus of the Athenian Program.
“I’m excited to join Washington because it is a community that believes in strong municipal leadership, high-performing services, and investing in people,” Fiegenschuh said. “I look forward to helping our mayor, city council, and staff move Washington confidently into its next chapter.”
Fiegenschuh’s leadership philosophy is rooted in stewardship and the Athenian Oath, emphasizing ethical decision-making, financial responsibility, and leaving the community better than he found it. In Washington, he looks forward to supporting an already strong staff team while helping the city for long-term success through thoughtful planning and community-centered leadership.
Outside of work, Fiegenschuh enjoys spending time with his family and his dog, Oden. He is a longtime fan of Star Wars, comics, and horror conventions, and enjoys creative “ink therapy” in his downtime. “The best part of being a city administrator is working in and giving back to the community that I serve,” he added. “I’m very excited to become part of Team Washington.”
The City of Washington also extends its sincere thanks to Interim City Administrator Dennis Carr for his leadership and dedication during the transition. His steady presence, institutional knowledge, and commitment to maintaining high-quality services provided continuity for staff and residents while the city completed the search process.
The city looks forward to supporting Fiegenschuh through the transition process and welcoming him as an active member of the Washington community. His start date is anticipated to be mid-January.
