“I realized that I had to ‘up my game’ so I
joined Toastmasters, learned Roberts Rules of
Order, and basically took every opportunity
to better equip myself to lead.”
In the early 1980s, Kennedy became an
engineering consultant with Parsons
Corporation. Over the next seven years he
managed large-scale industrial, transportation,
facilities engineering and construction
projects including in the design and
engineering of water supply systems for the
City of San Jose and Carmel’s 17-mile Drive.
His technical background and
accomplishments began opening doors
to board-level positions. He served as
Chairman of South County Regional
WasteWater Authority, an organization he
commended for its early advances in water
recycling that won industry acclaim.
During several terms on the Board
of Directors of the Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority (VTA), Kennedy
helped drive three vital projects: the creation
of CalTrain service to South County, the
widening of Highway 101 between Morgan
Hill and San Jose, and the expedited
74
installation of a median barrier along a
dangerous section of the 101 corridor from
Morgan Hill to south of Gilroy – a project
that was completed in record time.
“About a year after the median barrier
was installed, a young man called to tell me
he had been driving on Highway 101 when
a driver in the oncoming traffic had lost
control of his car. The young man said that
if the barrier hadn’t been there, he and his
family would have been victims of a head-on
collision. I cried when I heard his story.”
A Memorable
Mayor
Kennedy came to Morgan Hill in 1976.
His love for the city sparked concern for
balanced growth and development, which
soon led to his involvement in civic and
community organizations.
He served three terms on the Morgan
Hill Planning Commission, two terms
on the General Plan Update Committee,
and was elected to the City Council in
G M H T O D A Y M A G A Z I N E
MARCH / APRIL 2015
1990. Two years later he was appointed by
the City Council to his first term as Mayor
of Morgan Hill. Back then, the city and
the community were at loggerheads on key
issues. Kennedy’s propensity for getting to
the heart of an issue, striking a balance
and building consensus came at an
auspicious time.
He became Morgan Hill’s first directly-
elected mayor, and was re-elected in 1998,
2000, 2002 and 2004; serving nearly
twelve years before retiring from that role
in December 2006. Under his leadership,
the City of Morgan Hill became a model
for smart growth and balanced community
development.
The city’s current Mayor, Steve Tate,
served on the City Council during several
of Kennedy’s terms as mayor. He called
Kennedy “a visionary” who inspired
community members to make their voices
heard in an open process that led to a
new direction for the city. This included
development of a new community and
cultural center, an aquatics center, and
an indoor recreation center. Mayor Tate
said that Kennedy also helped secure an
extension of the RDA, which not only paid
for those projects but also partially financed
Morgan Hill’s new library and other
capital projects such as the construction of
Butterfield Boulevard.
As Mayor Tate tells it, “Dennis has
been a champion of the careful, controlled
residential growth that provides Morgan
Hill with outstanding, high quality neigh-
borhoods while preserving the spirit of our
community – the ‘small town feel’. His
cautious approach to issues, making sure
all options are explored before finalizing
direction, has served Morgan Hill well.”
Looking back on his time as Mayor,
Kennedy recalled how his second wife,
Eileen, was by his side for the many social
engagements that come with city leadership.
Eileen had grown up in Morgan Hill and
was working as a registered nurse when
she met Kennedy. Although the couple
parted ways in 2007, Kennedy has fond
memories of their married life and Eileen’s
role as Morgan Hill’s First Lady. “She was
my coach and confidante, and she had a
fantastic sense of humor,” Kennedy said.
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