A familiar face exits Kalamazoo County government

*Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, the administrator and controller for Kalamazoo County, will leave his post on August 14, 2026. He accepted a position as county administrator for Chesterfield County, Virginia*, according to a statement released by Kalamazoo County on June 22.

Catlin has served as the county's chief administrative and accounting officer since May 2022. He will begin work in Chesterfield on August 24.

What Catlin left behind in Kalamazoo County

During his tenure, Catlin oversaw several major county initiatives. Those projects include:

  • Implementation of the county's Strategic Plan
  • Creation of a Facilities Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan
  • Administration of ARPA-funded projects
  • Expansion of housing and homelessness response efforts, including the creation of The Landing Place transitional family shelter
  • Plans for a centralized downtown county campus, including a new parking structure and future administration building

"Serving as Kalamazoo County Administrator has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional career," Catlin said in the county statement. "Together, we have navigated significant challenges, advanced transformative initiatives, strengthened the County's financial position, invested in our workforce, expanded housing and homelessness efforts, modernized facilities and infrastructure, and fostered stronger partnerships throughout the community."

Jen Strebs, chair of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners, praised Catlin's leadership in the same release.

"Through his expertise, collaboration, and deep commitment to public service, Dr. Catlin empowered others to lead with empathy and purpose, strengthening us as a more resilient organization rooted in service to our community," Strebs said.

The search for a replacement begins

The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on June 23 at 6 p.m. to discuss succession planning and a transition plan, according to the county statement. Additional details about the hiring process were not immediately available.

Catlin brings a decade of municipal service experience to Chesterfield County. He previously served as city manager of Springfield, Michigan, and as county administrator of Boone County, Illinois. He holds bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois.

Chesterfield County is the fourth largest county in Virginia. It has a population of approximately 378,000 residents, a government payroll of 4,000 employees, and an annual budget of $2.4 billion, according to the Progress-Index newspaper in Chesterfield. Kalamazoo County has roughly 270,000 residents and about 2,800 government employees.

"Kalamazoo will always hold a special place in my heart," Catlin said. "I will remain grateful for the relationships, experiences, and community that have shaped both my career and my life."

For residents with questions about the transition, the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners said additional information would be shared as it became available.