JANESVILLE, Wis. — Rebecca Houseman will become Janesville’s 12th city manager and the first woman to serve in the position after the City Council approved her appointment Monday in a unanimous 7-0 vote. Houseman, a Janesville native, is scheduled to start Nov. 2. She has been Fort Atkinson’s city manager since 2021 and began her career in municipal government more than two decades ago as an administrative intern in Janesville. “I am honored to be here tonight,” Houseman told the council after the vote. “My career started over 22 years ago here on this very floor, in this very building, so I am pleased to accept this position.” She said her initial priorities will include building relationships with the council, city employees and residents. Janesville uses a council-manager form of government rather than having a mayor. The city manager serves as the chief executive and carries out the City Council’s policies and priorities. The appointment follows the departure of Kevin Lahner, who stepped down as city manager at the end of May. Jay Shambeau has served as interim city manager while the city conducted its search for a permanent replacement. Henry Traxler became Janesville’s first city manager in September 1923. Houseman’s appointment marks a significant change in the leadership history of an office that has been held by men for more than a century.