City of Greeley hires new deputy city manager and assistant city manager

By Kelly Ragan

The City of Greeley has brought on two new executives to the leadership team, according to a news release.

Donald Tripp and Juliana Kitten will join the city as deputy city manager and assistant city manager, respectively.

Tripp is set to replace interim deputy city manager, Becky Safarik, who filled in for the last year after her retirement.

Safarik will continue to serve as interim director of Community Development until that role is filled, according to the release.  

Kitten is set to replace former assistant city manager Abbie Poniatowski, who vacated the position in early 2021, and will take over the homelessness and housing responsibilities from interim chief resiliency officer Heather Balser, according to the release.

 “These positions will help elevate our ability to provide service to Greeley residents with a greater emphasis on our most critical work, including infrastructure, homelessness and housing,” said City Manager Raymond Lee in the release. “Juliana and Donald bring a wealth of experience with proven success developing and leading strategic initiatives across government sectors.”

About Donald Tripp

As one of two deputy city managers, Tripp will lead the city’s community vitality efforts, according to the release. He’ll oversee departments including Community Development; Culture, Parks and Recreation; and Public Works.

Deputy City Manager Paul Fetherston will continue to oversee the city’s enterprise resources departments including Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology, and the City Clerk’s Office.

Tripp has more than three decades of municipal government experience, most recently as city manager of Westminster.  

 In addition to developing strategic planning efforts and implementing responsive strategies for the city, he led economic improvements that included redeveloping the former regional mall into a downtown, adding 5,000 new jobs and two corporate headquarters, and the opening of a passenger rail station, according to the release.

Tripp earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. Among his professional service, he led Westminster to becoming a founding member of the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance.  

About Juliana Kitten

As part of her assistant city manager responsibilities, Kitten will lead the city’s homelessness and housing initiatives, according to the release.

Her 20 years of experience include leadership in local, state, and federal government in the areas of mental health, homelessness, community development, and medical center operations.

Her accomplishments include reducing homelessness in multiple settings and sites in Oklahoma and Texas. That includes with the City of Amarillo, where a pilot program she led decreased chronic homelessness by 7% in 18 months.

She currently is director of Management Support Services for the Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health and director of Housing First Training and Implementation for the Pathways Housing First Training Institute. She previously served as director of Community Development for the City of Amarillo.  

She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Albany and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago.  

Tripp and Kitten will begin working with the city Sept. 19.