Two City of Loveland employees have been selected to serve as deputy city managers as the City moves forward with a leadership transition. Brian Waldes, who will step up from the role of deputy city manager/chief financial officer (CFO) to assume acting city manager duties after Jim Thompson’s retirement on July 7, has appointed Deputy CFO Molly Elder to serve as acting deputy city manager/CFO. In addition, Waldes has appointed Chief Human Resources Officer Julia Holland to serve as acting deputy city manager upon the retirement of Deputy City Manager Rod Wensing on July 6.
“As our organization goes through this transition, we are able to keep our daily and strategic functions moving forward because of our great staff and leaders. I want to thank Julia and Molly for stepping up to this challenge and have full confidence they are more than up to the task,” said Waldes.
Holland has led the Human Resources (HR) team for more than 15 years. She has been an integral part of the leadership team and has been instrumental in organizational changes during previous leadership transitions. Holland was also named 2025 Executive Leadership Team member of the year. As head of HR, she works closely with all City departments, including operational staff and frontline employees. In her acting position, she will oversee development services, economic development, public works, and utilities directors, while continuing to lead the HR department. Holland will transition into the acting role on July 6.
Elder has been with the City for 10 years, serving as administrative business manager for Parks & Recreation for eight years before her promotion to deputy CFO in 2023. In her current role, she has led process improvements and helped the organization navigate budget and service reduction conversations that began in 2023. Elder brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, financial management, and citywide collaboration. Elder will oversee directors for communication & engagement, finance, information technology and the new unified department (formerly parks and recreation, cultural services, and the library.) Elder will transition into the acting role on July 8.
During the July 7 City Council meeting, City Council will consider information and vote to approve funding for a nationwide hiring process for Loveland’s next city manager. The vote requires a second reading and approval by council on Aug. 18. The City hasn’t yet announced plans to permanently fill the deputy city manager role upon Wensing’s departure.