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Mayor and Council
Mayor and Councilmembers
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Mayor
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About Brenham's form of government
The City of Brenham is a home-rule city governed by the City's Charter, adopted September 7, 1920. The charter provides for a Council-Manager form of government. The council-manager form is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a City Council, with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The City of Brenham has had 10 City Managers with the first being appointed in May 1968.
The City Council is the principal legislative body of the City. The Mayor and two (2) Council Members are elected from the City at large to serve four (4)-year terms. Four (4) Council members are elected by ward, one from each of the four (4) wards, to serve four (4)-year terms.
All City Council Meetings are held in Council Chambers in City Hall at 200 W. Vulcan Street, in downtown Brenham. City Council meetings are held on the first (1st) and third (3rd) Thursday of each month at 1:00 pm.
All meetings are posted seventy-two (72) hours prior, as required by the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Left to right - back row: Clint Kolby, Leah Cook, Dr. Paul LaRoche III, Albert Wright
Front row: Adonna Saunders, Atwood Kenjura, Shannan Canales
Mayor and Council Biographies
Mayor Atwood C. Kenjura
Term Notes: Elected to City Council in 2021. Elected as Mayor in 2023. Current term ends in 2027.
Atwood Kenjura is a fourth-generation resident of Brenham. He is a proud graduate of Brenham High School, Blinn College, and the University of Houston College of Pharmacy. After 50 years as the lead pharmacist and owner of Kenjura Pharmacy, a mainstay in the community, Atwood retired from his practice in April 2021 to spend more time with his family and serve the residents of Brenham.
Atwood has a passion for community engagement and servant leadership. Prior to serving as a Council Member, he served as a Trustee for Blinn College for 43 years, board member for Baylor Scott and White Board (past), chairman for the Washington County Chamber (past), and chairman for the Brenham Community Development Corporation (past). He is also a lector at Saint Mary's Catholic Church; and his faith inspires him each day.
Atwood believes in being a great role model, a diplomatic leader, being responsible for your decisions, and remaining unbiased.
“Brenham is one of those unique cities for its size in the state. It has a lot of history, natural beauty, and small-town charm. Our proximity to Austin and Houston makes it an attractive place to live. I want to continue to build upon the many accomplishments that the previous leaders of our community have achieved; this will make Brenham the obvious choice to live, work and play for many generations to come.”
Atwood and his wife, Marilyn, have five children and 10 grandchildren. He is a true outdoorsman that loves to play golf and travel with his family.
Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Clint Kolby
Term notes: Elected in 2018 and reelected in 2021. Current term expires 2025.
Position 5 - At Large
.jpg "Councilmember Clint Kolby - photo by James Pharaon")
Clint Kolby is a local attorney with the Brenham law firm Betts, Walters & Mutscher, P.C. He graduated from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University and South Texas College of Law Houston. He previously served 7 years as the Project Manager with the Brenham Economic Development Foundation. Kolby has also been a volunteer member of the A. W. Hodde, Jr., Technical Education Center at Blinn College, LCRA Regional Council, Washington County A&M Club, City of Brenham-Board of Adjustments, Blinn Alumni & Friends Association, and the Washington County Bar Association.
"I believe in servant leadership and want to take this opportunity to serve my community and the citizens of Brenham as the Position 5 At-Large City Councilmember," said Kolby. "With my education and professional background working on large capital projects with businesses and governmental agencies, I believe I offer a unique perspective for the challenges that the City of Brenham will face. As Brenham continues to grow and experiences new business and residential developments, we must be mindful of our budget while we promote public safety, economic development, and community values to ensure that Brenham is a great place to live, work, and visit," Kolby said.
He is married to Elizabeth Kolby, who is a Pre-AP and AP Physics teacher at Brenham High School. They have a daughter, Catherine, and a son, Thomas. Kolby and his family are also members of the Champion Fellowship church.
Councilmember Shannan Canales
Term notes: Elected in 2021. Current term ends in 2025.
Ward 1
Shannan Canales is co-owner of Las Americas Latin Cuisine and is an Account Manager at KTEX/KWHI Radio where she partners in branding companies and marketing them to the area. Shannan’s interest in restaurants started at age 14 at the Southern Flyer Diner at the Brenham Airport. From there she went on to BT Longhorn where she later met her husband Jose Canales Jr.
Shannan has been actively involved with many of Brenham’s youth organizations over the years, including Girl Scout Troop leader, WCYSL soccer coach, and Maifest. She also has a passion for Downtown Brenham where she was a co-founder of Brenham Bounce. Shannan holds board positions with, Texas Arts and Music Festival, sits on the Main Street promotions committee and just recently stepped down from board position from Brenham Main Street. She is an avid supporter for all of Brenham and Washington County, and was recently awarded the Hometown Hero award for organizing and participating in feeding the children of Washington County during the COVID BISD Lunch Shut down.
Shannan was born in this great state and raised between Texas and Michigan. She has been a Brenham resident since attending Brenham High School, where she graduated as Battalion Executive Officer of the second highest rank in the MCJROTC program. Shannan credits that program with helping her build structure, listen to her peers, execute orders and build organizational skills.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband Jose Canales Jr. and her 2 daughters, Carter (10), and Camryn (7).
"I ran for City Council because I want to help maintain the historical value of Brenham. I want to seek change by being proactive, but also want to respect the values and culture of our downtown district. I am grateful for the opportunity at a chance to help navigate the way with fellow City Council Members and the community of Brenham. I’m proud to be a part of the future of Brenham and making it a successful place for our youth."
Councilmember Albert Wright
Term Notes: Appointed September 2018, ran unopposed in 2019 & 2023, Current term ends in 2027
Ward 2
I am a native Washington County Texan and have called Brenham home since marrying my wife Emma in 1970. Together, we have 3 sons Chad, Justin, and Landan and enjoy our 5 beautiful grandchildren.
John Maxwell once said that "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." Servant leadership is not a goal I seek, but rather a core value I attempt to exemplify daily.
I believe true and effective leadership does not come with titles, but from people who are dedicated to serving others. I am committed to the spiritual and social advancement of this community. Some of my faith-based work includes being a pastor of the New Life Church of God since 1981 and Southern Interstate Ministries Conference (SIMC) Vice-Chairman. I have worked and volunteered for many community organizations including PTO president, BISD Mentor Program, Brenham Crime Stoppers, Washington County Youth Soccer Committee, and the Optimist Club to name a few.
I will align my passions for youth development, community enrichment, and ministry with my talents of community engagement, service, and outreach to serve the citizens of Brenham.
Councilmember Paul F. LaRoche, III
Term notes: Ran unopposed in 2023 (to fill the vacant seat left by A. Kenjura on his bid to run for Mayor). Current term ends in 2027.
Ward 3
Dr. Paul LaRoche III moved to Brenham with his parents and sister in 1963. After graduating from Brenham High School, he attended Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and a Ross Volunteer. After graduation from A&M, he attended and graduated from The University of Texas Dental School.
Prior to serving as a Council Member, Paul owned a successful local dental practice for nearly 38 years, retiring in 2018. He is also part owner of LaRoche Chevrolet, Buick, GMC. During his dental career, Paul and his wife Charlotte made several trips with the Smiles For Life Foundation to provide dental services to underserved people living in remote areas in Central America, Dominican Republic, and Nepal.
He is an active member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he serves the congregation in many different capacities. Paul currently serves on the Board of Directors of Hospice Brazos Valley and has served in the past as a Board Member and Board Chairman of Brenham Wholesale Grocery, President of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Council, President of Davy Crockett District of Sam Houston Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, Board Member of Baylor Scott and White Foundation, Brenham, and President of St. Paul’s Christian Day School Board.
“I have always been involved in the community in numerous ways and wish to continue by serving the citizens of Ward 3. I will represent all the people of Ward 3, new residents, as well as those who have lived here their entire life to the best of my ability. I want to see Brenham continue to grow and prosper but in a positive way. Not losing the unique qualities of our small town, as so many other areas have.”
Paul enjoys reading, playing golf with friends, attending sporting events and concerts, and traveling with family. He and Charlotte have four children and eight grandchildren.
Councilmember Adonna Saunders
Term Notes: Elected in 2019, ran unopposed in 2023. Current term ends in 2027
Ward 4
Adonna Saunders is a native Texan, born in Houston. She spent her adolescent years growing up in Southwest Louisiana and the metro Atlanta suburbs. In 1990, Adonna returned to the Lone Star State to attend Burton High School. She is a proud graduate of Burton High School, and the Tomball Beauty Academy. With her endless determination, Adonna became a Licensed Cosmetologist at age 21; and opened her own salon at age 24. She attributes her powerful work ethic to her parents, who taught her the values of hard work and giving back to the community.
“I believe in transformational leadership. I am a visionary and hope I inspire others to be the very best version of themselves. Seeing someone grow and evolve in an area of their life is very rewarding,” said Saunders. “I ran for Council because I was ready to get out into the community and start giving my time to the place my family has called home since 2003. Job creation and growth is important to me as well. I would like to see more of our residents be able to work locally and not have to commute for higher pay or job diversity.”
Adonna believes in leading by example. She prides herself on being open, honest, and listening to people in order to help them understand issues or challenges.
In her free time, Adonna enjoys spending time with her family, listening to audiobooks, and working in her garden. She also loves carrying out anonymous charity work with her husband.
Saunders and her husband, Ryan, have four children – Harrison, Courtland, Addison, and Michael.
Councilmember Leah Cook
Term notes: Elected in 2021. Current term ends in 2025.
Position 6 - At Large
Leah Cook was born and raised in Brenham and is proud of the community's rich history! Leah briefly moved to Austin for work, but quickly realized she missed her family, the community, and the culture of her hometown. She returned to Brenham and opened LJ's BBQ, one of Texas Monthly's Top 25 New BBQ joints and the 2019 Washington County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.
Cook streamlined her love of serving and partnered with other Brenham stakeholders to plan and initiate several community engagement events including the Brenham Better Together Community Picnic, providing meals to BISD students during the pandemic shutdown, and the Brenham Thanksgiving Blessing. Leah is also a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church Social Concerns Committee, where she works to help find and meet the needs of others in Brenham. She is a true servant leader.
Cook believes in fostering the growth of the next generation while serving the current community with pride.
"Being an elected official should be a service driven position and I truly believe I have a servant's heart. I was blessed to have an amazing experience growing up in Brenham; and I want to make sure the Brenham I love can offer the same loving sense of community for my child and all future generations. I want to assist in ensuring we have a prosperous future and making sure that the people of Brenham have their voices heard at City Hall."
Cook and her husband, Corey, have one son.