Anderson Sainci has been appointed as the city of Dubuque’s new director of strategic partnerships, a role that positions him as the city’s chief lobbyist at various levels of government, including the state government in Des Moines and the federal government in Washington, D.C. Sainci brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked for the city for over 13 years across multiple departments, including public works, economic development, and information technology.
In his new position, Sainci aims to strengthen Dubuque’s relationships with key governmental partners. “Nothing happens without partnerships. We want to build on those relationships we have,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to maximize opportunities for the city. As he transitions into this role, Sainci plans to focus on understanding the complexities of property tax reform in Des Moines.
Sainci succeeds Teri Hawks Goodmann, who served as the assistant city manager and held the position until her semi-retirement at the end of last year. Goodmann will continue to support Sainci as an independent consultant, helping him navigate the lobbying landscape and familiarize himself with grant application processes. “Anderson has been in the city for 13 years now. I look forward to working with him,” Goodmann remarked.
City Manager Mike Van Milligen praised Sainci’s extensive background in city operations. “Anderson has a lot of good people skills and this is the people business,” he noted. Sainci previously held the role of director of the Office of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood Support, which was recently rebranded as the Office of Economic Mobility. In that capacity, he focused on neighborhood organizations and developed solutions aimed at reducing poverty.
Dubuque has prioritized anti-poverty initiatives, with two key departments dedicated to this cause: the Office of Community Impact, which engages directly with citizens, and the Office of Economic Mobility, which addresses systemic socioeconomic challenges. The city recently secured a two-year grant to hire an anti-poverty coordinator, Corinne Rothblum, who will begin next month. Rothblum comes to Dubuque with over a decade of public service experience with the United States Agency for International Development.
Sainci’s roots trace back to central Florida, but he relocated to Dubuque after high school to attend the University of Dubuque. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Master of Arts in communication. He and his wife, Kiesha Sainci, are raising four children, aged 6 to 15, who are enrolled in Dubuque schools. “Being a father, it’s showing my kids that working hard in this life, and what servant leadership is,” Sainci reflected. “It’s getting up every day and making this community a better place.”
As Sainci steps into this pivotal role, he is poised to leverage his extensive experience and community ties to advocate for Dubuque’s interests effectively. His commitment to enhancing relationships with government entities is expected to play a crucial role in the city’s growth and development.
