Background
Missoula’s 50th mayor, Engen was born in Missoula in 1964, attended Willard Elementary School, Hellgate High School and The University of Montana, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Missoula’s 50th mayor, Engen was born in Missoula in 1964, attended Willard Elementary School, Hellgate High School and The University of Montana, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
University of Montana.
Before serving as mayor, Engen served a term as a city council member, was an award-winning writer and editor for the city’s daily newspaper, owned and operated his own small business and volunteered for a variety of Missoula’s non-profit organizations, concentrating on human services. As an amateur auctioneer and emcee, Engen’s helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to help friends and neighbors in the community. The Engens live in the Rattlesnake Valley along with their rescued Labradoodle, Odie, and a cat called Moose.
The family"s rescued greyhound, Patches, died in February 2011.
During the 2008 presidential election campaign, Mayor John Engen endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States.