EVANSTON — After nearly five years as Evanston City Clerk, Amy Grenfell is moving on to new opportunities. Grenfell’s last day with the city was Friday, Oct. 5. Beginning Monday, Oct. 8, her new job title is chief operating officer of the Wyoming Business Council (WBC), based out of Cheyenne. 

Grenfell said the decision to leave Evanston was one of the most difficult decisions her family has ever had to make. “We weren’t looking to leave,” she said, “but this opportunity was really once in a lifetime.” 

The Evanston City Council and city staff had an opportunity to bid Grenfell farewell and thank her for her service at the Oct. 2 city council meeting when a farewell celebration was held. A tearful Grenfell said, “My time here has been both engaging and gratifying and I will miss Evanston.” She reminded those in attendance that she has lived in Evanston for 13 years and is a Kemmerer native so southwest Wyoming will always be dear to her. 

She said working for the City of Evanston has given her a great appreciation for city staff and the entire community. “I’ve worked for some great companies,” she said, “and the people who work for the city are just top notch. This includes both employees and volunteers. Their hearts are just really in the right place.”

The volunteer spirit of Evanston is something she has gained a lot of appreciation for, she said. “Before working for a public entity, I didn’t understand the role that each and every person plays in a community. There’s so much in Evanston that contributes to the quality of life that is really driven by volunteer efforts.”

Looking back on her tenure as city clerk, Grenfell said she is extremely proud of the work that has been accomplished and the renewed interest in the Roundhouse. 

The decision to move to Cheyenne was a tough one for many reasons, including the fact that Amy’s husband, Chuck, was the Evanston High School girls’ soccer head coach and the entire family has been extremely involved in the Evanston soccer community, including Evanston Express club soccer. 

“We hope the soccer community flourishes and continues to flourish,” said Amy. “That has very much been a family endeavor that we have taken a lot of pride in.” For his part, Chuck said he’s very much going to miss coaching the Lady Devils. 

While leaving Evanston is proving to be an emotional experience, Grenfell said the people of Cheyenne have been very welcoming and she is looking forward to the next adventure with her new position at the WBC, the state’s economic development agency. “I’m really excited to learn about economic impacts throughout the state and what can be done to diversify and promote the economic vitality of the state,” she said. 

She is also hopeful she will be able to continue to work toward the growth of Evanston. “We believe so much in Evanston,” she said, “so hopefully we can now be helpful from afar.” 

Grenfell said the city clerk role is an appointed position that will probably not be filled until after the election when it is clear who will be Evanston’s mayor. In the meantime, Nancy Stevenson, deputy clerk, has been sworn in as the interim city clerk.