Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

HL’s new city administrator is happy to re-plant her small-town roots



HOWARD LAKE, MN – Howard Lake City Administrator Jennifer Nash grew up in Albion Township, not far from Howard Lake.

“I love central Minnesota, and I really love the small towns here,” Nash commented.

Nash graduated high school in Annandale.

Nash obtained a bachelor’s degree in public administration from St. Cloud State University, and is currently working on a master’s degree in public administration through Metro State University.

Prior to accepting the city administrator position in Howard Lake, Nash completed an internship with the City of Winsted, held the assistant to the city administrator position for the City of Northfield where she worked for more than four years, and was the deputy clerk for the City of Howard Lake since January 2013.

In her assistant city administrator position in Northfield, she completed tasks in many areas that relate to her current position in Howard Lake.

Nash assisted with economic development projects, human resources issues, community development projects, and many other projects in Northfield.

She has also been the interim city administrator in Howard Lake since the departure of Nick Haggenmiller in August.

“I went out of town to build my professional career and experience, but I always wanted to come back to my small community area,” she said.

Nash recalled attending Annandale Public Schools and competing against Howard Lake for sports.

“There’s lots of familiarity to this environment for me,” she noted.

Nash expressed her excitement for holding a position that is so close to her roots and family.

“I have two nieces and two nephews who live right down the street, which is nice,” she commented.

Nash enjoys the wide variety of tasks included in the city administrator position.

“In one day, I can have a meeting with the school, meet with FEMA about flooding, attend a planning and zoning meeting, assign street maintenance tasks, and talk to engineers about drainage,” she said. “I never get bored, that’s for sure.”

Nash is happy for the opportunity to meet and get to know the people in the community, she said.

“I love to take on challenges, and I see them as opportunities,” she added. “I am really happy to take on this new challenge and continue to work in Howard Lake, where I’ve had the opportunity to meet and get to know great people.”

Nash plans to continue working toward goals city council has planned, and take on the challenges as they come.

“Council has done a good job at putting together a list of goals for the community,” Nash commented. “I look forward to completing those goals for the continued prosperity of the Howard Lake community.”

Nash is right where she wants to be, she said.

“I guess the goal was always to move forward within the City of Howard Lake,” Nash stated. “I didn’t think I would get here so quickly, but I am so happy because it’s a great community, with great people.”

Nash has four siblings, Paul, Rebecca, Leonard, and Rachel; and her parents are Louis and Linda Nash.

This story has been updated to reflect Nash’s correct job title with the City of Northfield.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.