Dawn Ashbacher
by Lisa Moody Breslin photography by Walter P. Calahan
A former high school teacher and administrator in New Hampshire, Dawn Ashbacher has been Sykesville’s Town Manager since 2012. She is a proud graduate of Iowa State University, where she earned an undergraduate degree in Nutritional Science and a Masters Degree in Public Administration.
Ashbacher served Ed Daley, then City Manager of Winchester, VA, as an Assistant to the City Manager. After that, she gained additional experience as a Budget Analyst and Assistant Director of the Planning Commission Office with Fairfax County, VA.
Where and when are you happiest? I have a lot of answers to that question, but usually when I’m in the present instead of worried about something. Walking in the woods, hanging out with children or being part of an engaged community conversation while we try hard to figure something out – I’m happiest during those times.
Who are your heroes in real life? My friends and family are my heroes. One particular friend of mine, Juana, is the mother of six children, ages two to 10. I have known all of them since before they were born, and she is the most wonderful mother. She really knows each child and she inspires them independently and as they live as a group.
What is your most treasured possession? That is hard because I would like to have as few possessions as possible. I have a CD that is the recording of an interview that I did with my grandmother, Fran. She has passed away but she was quite a character. I love having that recording and the sweet things that she said to me. Both my grandmothers are awesome. I almost mentioned them as my heroes.
Favorite way to relax? Any kind of way to relax is good, but my favorite way to relax is to get a massage because I have a wonderful massage therapist, Amy Johnson.
Favorite movie – or book – (right now)? I’m behind on the movies but there is a television series called Mercy Street. I love it. It’s about a hospital in Alexandria during the Civil War. It’s a Union Hospital that treated confederate soldiers. In everyone there is a hero and a villain; it’s not black and white. There is blue and gray and a mixture of colors.
What do you love about town management? We get to do a lot of different things and talk to a lot of different people. I love helping people see things from different perspectives as we all find out what is best for community.
What are the top two challenges (today) linked to your job? First there is always more to do than I can get done. Small towns are challenging because we have many of the same problems of a larger community but fewer people to solve them. It’s a challenge to prioritize and assign who to what when all of us have full plates. Second, my philosophy is to try and ensure that I listen to everyone – to all the different perspectives – as decisions are made and we make progress. It’s hard to make that time to listen and to inspire people who might not agree to work together.
Offer an elevator shout out about Sykesville from the first floor to the second; what would you tell someone about the town that sets it apart from all others? It is an engaged, vibrant community that is the coolest small town in America. We are a semi-finalist for a contest seeking the coolest small town. If the magazine comes out in early June, people should vote.
Most heart-wrenching moment(s) of your career? Two days before I started this job, my first town manager job that was my long-term goal, my dad died. It was hard to be a new person in charge and to say good-bye to my father at the same time. He lived long enough to know that I had gotten the job. The town was so gracious when I needed to go back home for a while.
What do you think are the top myths about town management? That government should be strictly like a business. Yes, we should be efficient, but our focus is different. We are looking out for a whole community and our job is to be fair and figure out what is best for all. Sometimes it takes quite awhile to figure that out and the people in the community often best determine the solution.
List three adjectives that you hope colleagues would use describe your leadership style? Wise. Thoughtful. Open.
In 10 years, what do you hope will be your greatest achievement as Sykesville’s manager? I hope that we will have an expanded community and the Warfield Complex is developed in a way that we are all proud. I hope that there is a sense of confidence in that community that we can handle what comes our way.
