After 16 years and multiple roles in the community, Stephanie Stanley is taking on the general manager position for the Highlands Ranch Metro District. 

Stanley started in the metro district’s top job on Jan. 2, overseeing 90 employees. She previously served as interim general manager and director of finance and administration for the metro district and the Centennial Water and Sanitation District. 

Stanley said it’s an honor to be hired in the role and she looks forward to using her knowledge of the metro district to advance her community.

“I think that with (my experience), along with living in the community for a long time, I have a good sense for what’s important to residents and what opportunities we’ve taken advantage of over time and what opportunities we may have lying ahead of us,” she said. 

Highlands Ranch Metro District began the search for a new general manager in the fall of 2022 after former manager Mike Renshaw took a role in Georgia. In a statement, metro district board member Andy Jones said Stanley was chosen after an exhaustive search to ensure the right person for the job.

“A mature community like Highlands Ranch is so fortunate to have an experienced leader hired from within its staff with the extensive knowledge of the district and community,” Jones said.

Highlands Ranch Metro District is in charge of parks, open space, trails and public works in the community.

This year, Stanley will continue to shepherd the completion of Highlands Ranch’s new senior center, which is currently under construction, as well as manage the May 2 election for metro district board seats and a community feedback survey. 

Stanley said other areas of focus include maintaining and replacing the district’s infrastructure as it ages, fostering community engagement and preserving the high quality services the district offers.

“I’m excited for this time in our journey as an organization to move to the next level,” she said. “We want to be an attractive and healthy place to live and we want to make sure our amenities are not just in good working order, but also looking attractive.”

One of her goals is to continue operating the metro district like a business by making financially responsible decisions and being good stewards of residents’ investments, Stanley said. 

Stanley said she’s excited to take on the job and seize future opportunities for Highlands Ranch when possible. An example is partnering with South Suburban Parks and Recreation to offer more pickleball courts to meet the high demand from players. 

“I’m really looking forward to the strategic nature of the general manager position and helping the board and the staff to have a vision moving forward and looking at our future opportunities and continuing our strong traditions,” she said.