Meet Kathy
Kathy Keefe Jensen is a small business owner, community leader, mother, and longtime public servant who has dedicated her life to strengthening Fayetteville. She and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Jensen, shared a journey through military service that took them around the world before returning home to raise their family in the community Kathy has always cherished. Today, they are proud parents of six and grandparents of two, with deep roots in Fayetteville that span generations.
Kathy and Jerry on the steps on their home
Kathy and Jerry on the steps on their home
Jerry and Kathy at on the steps of their home
Celebrating 18 years of An Affair to Remember
Celebrating 18 years of An Affair to Remember
Kathy grew up working in her family’s business and carried that entrepreneurial spirit into her own successful venture. In 2005, she opened An Affair to Remember: Prom, Pageant and Formal Wear on Ramsey Street, turning it into one of the region’s most respected boutiques for designer and custom formalwear. She knows firsthand the importance of small business to local economies and understands the dedication it takes to serve customers and create jobs in her community.
First elected in 2013, Kathy has served on the Fayetteville City Council for over a decade, including two terms as Mayor Pro Tem. Her leadership has helped guide the city through unprecedented growth, and she’s especially proud of her work empowering young people through the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council. Kathy has served on more than a dozen boards and commissions, bringing a thoughtful, collaborative approach to issues ranging from economic development to parks and recreation.
Kathy being sworn in as the Fayetteville City Council District 1 representative in 2023
Kathy being sworn in as the Fayetteville City Council District 1 representative in 2023
Kathy speaking at a City of Fayetteville event
Kathy speaking at a City of Fayetteville event
Her public service is driven by a deep commitment to equity, access, and opportunity for all Fayetteville residents. Whether mentoring student leaders, supporting military families, or expanding broadband and infrastructure, Kathy shows up, listens, and gets to work. Her involvement in organizations like the Junior League of Fayetteville, the Women’s Giving Circle, and the Daughters of Penelope reflects her belief that leadership is about service and lifting others.
Kathy is proud to call north Fayetteville home and even prouder to continue serving the community that raised her.
