DENTON, TX, March 14, 2022 – City Manager Sara Hensley has named two internal staff members as full-time Assistant City Managers. Frank Dixon, Interim Assistant City Manager and Chief of Police, and Christine Taylor, Director of Procurement and Strategic Services, accepted the positions on Friday, March 11, 2022 after a total of five internal candidates applied and were considered. The Assistant City Manager positions were previously filled by interim appointments.
These hires complete the City Manager’s Office leadership team, which also includes Deputy City Manager David Gaines, who was appointed in early March.
“I’m thrilled to announce that Police Chief Frank Dixon and Procurement and Strategic Services Director Christine Taylor have both accepted a role as Assistant City Manager,” said Sara Hensley. “They each bring a unique brand of leadership to our team and have proven, time and again, their ability to take on the important challenges of our organization and community.”
Sara was appointed as full-time City Manager by the Denton City Council on March 2, 2022 after a nationwide search. She had served a year as Interim City Manager prior to her appointment.
Frank Dixon Profile
Frank Dixon has served as Interim Assistant City Manager since February 2021, and as Denton’s Chief of Police since October 2018 following a nationwide search. During his time as Police Chief, Frank has been instrumental in forming community-based policing initiatives including the creation the Mental Health Division in 2020, Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement, Fair and Impartial Policing, and a number of other proactive programs. As Interim Assistant City Manager, he oversaw the Police, Fire, Technology Services, Emergency Communications, Facilities, and Airport departments.
Prior to the City of Denton, he served in various roles for over 25 years with the Austin, TX Police Department, including Assistant Chief of Police, Detective, and Patrol Officer. Frank holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Lamar University, and served in the United States Marine Corps. Frank is volunteer on several community boards, including the Salvation Army, United Way of Denton County, Denton County Advisory Council on Child Sex Trafficking, and CASA of Denton County.
Christine Taylor Profile
Christine has 19 years of local government experience, most recently as Director of Procurement and Strategic Services. Christine has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of North Texas and has extensive experience, particularly with procurement and finance, having worked for multiple departments in the City including Strategic Services, Procurement, Fire, Parks and Recreation, and Finance.
Recently, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts awarded the City of Denton Transparency Stars across five (5) areas, two of which, contracts and procurement, were awarded for areas under Christine’s leadership.
David Gaines Profile
David Gaines was appointed full-time Deputy City Manager in early March after being named interim in the same role for the past year. Previously for the City of Denton, he has been Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Finance. David came to the City of Denton in 2018 has over 14 years of municipal and utility district experience.
In his role as Interim Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer, David oversaw the City’s budget and Finance, Engineering, Development Services, Economic Development, Water Utilities, parks and Recreation, Solid Waste and Recycling, Environmental Services, Fleet, and Procurement departments. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of North Texas.
Media Contact: Stuart Birdseye, (940) 349-8009, Stuart.Birdseye@cityofdenton.com
###