John Engen, Missoula’s 50th and longest-serving mayor, is accountable for the day-to-day operations of the city while providing leadership and vision for a community where quality of life is a core value for citizens.

Engen’s accomplishments range from comprehensive planning efforts to ensure that Missoula is a compact, sustainable city to restoring the city’s once-private water system to public ownership. He’s been a champion of conservation efforts, a partner in battling hunger and homelessness and a proponent of thoughtful business development.

Today, the mayor’s team is concentrating efforts on housing affordability in a thriving community, collaborating with the University of Montana and the business community in growing our innovation ecosystem and ensuring that no one is left out as the city grows and prospers.

Engen has served on a variety of advisory boards and currently serves as an advisor to the Missoula Economic Partnership, Clark Fork River Market, Essential Eats, the Montana League of Cities and Towns, Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders’ Council, Spark and the International Rescue Committee.

Born in Missoula in 1964, Engen is a product of Willard Grade School, Hellgate High School and the University of Montana. He enjoyed a career in print journalism, was a partner in two small businesses and served a term as a Missoula City Council member before being elected mayor for the first time in 2005.

As a volunteer auctioneer, he’s helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for non-profit organizations in Western Montana.

A friend of the Humane Society of Western Montana, he’s been rescued again and again by adopted dogs and cats. He enjoys cooking for friends, making people laugh and getting great work done with really smart people.