The Town of Carefree is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Krey as its next Town Administrator, following a unanimous vote by the Carefree Town Council at its March 3, 2026 regular meeting.
Kristen will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Town, lead and manage Town staff, and work strategically to implement the goals and initiatives established by the Town Council. She was selected from a competitive pool of applicants and was one of three finalists following a comprehensive statewide recruitment effort.
“Kristen brings a wealth of municipal government knowledge and understanding that will serve Carefree well as we work to strengthen our long-term financial position and modernize operations,” said Mayor John Crane. “Having served as the Carefree Town Clerk and Treasurer over the past year, Kristen has earned the respect of Council, staff, and residents. She is the ideal Town Administrator for Carefree. We are fortunate to have someone of Kristen’s experience, integrity, and leadership ability stepping into this role.”
She brings extensive municipal leadership experience, financial expertise, and executive-level administrative experience to the position. She currently serves as the Town Clerk and Treasurer for the Town of Carefree, where she has overseen audit management, financial reporting, financial system upgrades, treasury and investment oversight, public records compliance, and statutory governance processes. She also provides executive support to the Town Council and works closely with Town staff and affiliated entities, including the Carefree Water Company and the Utilities Community Facilities District.
Her career spans over 30 years in public-sector leadership, including senior roles with the City of Glendale, Arizona. There, she served in executive and department-level positions within the City Manager’s Office, Budget & Finance, City Council Administration, Police Administration, and Finance, Grants & Projects Management.
In addition to her municipal leadership experience, Krey has held consulting and executive compliance roles in the private sector and has taught graduate-level Leadership and MBA courses.
Her professional background reflects deep expertise in municipal governance, financial stewardship, organizational restructuring, and strategic planning. Her leadership is grounded in statutory compliance and best practices established by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA), and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). She is committed to transparency, organizational modernization, and advancing priorities that align closely with the Town’s strategic direction.
Kristen states, “It is a privilege to serve as Town Administrator for the Town of Carefree, and I am grateful to the Council for their confidence in appointing me to this role. My time serving as Town Clerk/Treasurer has provided a strong foundation for this transition, and I look forward to working with the Council, our dedicated staff, and the residents of Carefree to continue building on the Town’s strong financial stewardship and community vision. I would also like to thank Gary Neiss for his many years of service to Carefree and for helping ensure a thoughtful transition.”
With a proven track record of leadership and a deep understanding of Carefree’s operations and community values, the Town is well positioned for continued stability and progress under Kristen’s leadership.