Meet new Loomis mayor Jenny Knisley, part of community more than 40 years

Mayor Pro Tempore Jenny Knisley was sworn in as Loomis mayor to serve in 2022 at the Loomis Town Council meeting on Dec. 14. Knisely, who joined the council in 2020, took over for Jeff Duncan, who served as mayor during 2021 and joined the council in 2017. Before joining the council, Knisely worked as the Loomis Basin Chamber of Commerce executive director for more than 11 years. During that time, Knisely worked with the town of Loomis on projects such as the Loomis Legacy Loop, a self-guided tour of fruit packing label murals from local artists along Taylor Road. "I have worked with Jenny for many years and I know she will make a great mayor for our town," said Loomis Councilwoman Jan Clark-Crets. "Having been our chamber director for a very long time, she has provided her great experience in leading and understanding the intricacies of economic development. She also has a wonderful heart and is very approachable." Knisely helped start the Loomis businesses Camelot Costumes with her mother and Final 9 Sports disc golf store with her husband. Knisely is a Soroptimist International of Loomis Basin member and a Loomis Library Trustee, and currently serves as President of the Friends of the Loomis Library. She was involved with the effort to keep the Loomis library open when it almost closed in 2015. Part of the Loomis community for more than 40 years, Knisely attended Loomis Grammar School and Del Oro High School and raised her three children in Loomis. In addition to serving on the council, Knisely currently works as an executive director at the Loomis Senior L.I.F.E. Center. She had been involved with the center since 2009 through her volunteer work with Soroptimist. As mayor, Knisely said she wants to see more beautification projects in Loomis similar to the Legacy Loop, encourage new revenue generating opportunities and continue a dialogue between Loomis and other jurisdictions regarding traffic and border issues. One of her long-term goals is to create a community center in Loomis for both youth and seniors. "I want to honor the past and embrace the future and that's super important to me," Knisely said. "I think those two things are just really what makes Loomis, Loomis." In his time as mayor, Duncan said he was proud of the progress that the council, town staff and volunteers made on Loomis' General Plan Update, which provides guidance to the town and reflects its goals. The plan had not been updated since 2001 and needed to be altered since there have been changes such as in federal and state regulations and technology. "She was president of the Loomis Basin Chamber for a long time and involved with the chamber 11 years, she's from Loomis, went to school here," Duncan said about Knisley. "I think she's going to do a fantastic job as mayor."