City of Abilene
Photo Courtesy of Abilene
Mayor Brandon Rein and the Abilene City Commission have announced the appointment of Jon Quinday as Interim City Manager, effective July 1, 2025.
A U.S. Army combat veteran and longtime public servant, Quinday brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to Abilene. He previously served as Police Chief for the City of Russell and was appointed City Manager in 2012, a role he held until his retirement in 2024. Russell operates as a full-service city, providing electric, water, wastewater, sewer, and sanitation utilities, in addition to county-wide 911 communications. Through this work, Quinday developed a deep understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that come with managing complex municipal operations. He also served as Incident Commander for the Kansas Division of Emergency Management’s Northwest Kansas Incident Management Team, gaining extensive experience in crisis response and interagency coordination.
Beyond his work in city administration, Quinday has held leadership positions on various boards and organizations, including serving as school board president, president of the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency, and as a board member for both Kansas Municipal Utilities and the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police. He has also contributed to the profession through published articles in the Kansas Government Journal and Public Manager magazine, sharing insights on leadership, public service, and municipal management. In recognition of his professional achievements and service, he received the Edgar P. Schowalter Award from Kansas Municipal Utilities in 2024, as well as the Max H. Embree Distinguished Service Award.
Quinday is an ICMA Credentialed Manager and a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the Kansas Association of City Managers, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, and Disabled American Veterans.
He and his wife, Alice, have been married for 35 years. Together, they have three daughters with families of their own and are proud grandparents to six grandchildren.
“I’m honored to join the City of Abilene and serve alongside a team dedicated to public service and community growth,” said Quinday. “I look forward to listening, learning, and working collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition and to support the Commission’s goals for Abilene’s future.”
“I am extremely excited to work alongside Jon as our Interim City Manager in keeping our existing and ongoing infrastructure, industrial park, housing, and recreation improvements on track,” said Mayor Brandon Rein. “Jon has already hit the ground running, and his community-minded focus on trust, transparency, and public engagement meshes perfectly with the values of my fellow Commissioners, City staff, and the citizens of Abilene as a whole.”
Quinday has built a career on collaboration, service, and a strong belief in the value of local government. As the level of government closest to the people, he sees it as a powerful force for building trust, fostering transparency, and encouraging meaningful public engagement. The City of Abilene is pleased to welcome Jon and looks forward to his leadership in continuing the community’s positive momentum during this transition.
