Chesterfield Appoints Dr. Kevin Catlin as New County Administrator
TL;DR: Chesterfield County has appointed Dr. Kevin Catlin, currently Kalamazoo County administrator, to lead the county effective August 24, succeeding retiring administrator Joe Casey.
Quick facts
- Who: Dr. Kevin Catlin
- What: Appointed Chesterfield County Administrator
- When: June 22, 2026 announcement; starts August 24, 2026
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
Chesterfield County announced June 22 that Dr. Kevin Catlin, the current administrator and controller of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, has been appointed to serve as the county's next administrator. Catlin will begin his tenure on August 24, 2026, following the retirement of Dr. Joseph P. Casey, who departs July 1 after a 10-year tenure leading Virginia's fourth-largest county. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to formally vote on the appointment June 24.
Catlin brings two decades of experience in local government administration and management. He holds a Doctor of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield, along with a master's degree in public administration from the same institution and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. In Kalamazoo County, he has overseen approximately 1,000 employees and a $350 million budget. His career has included roles as city manager in Springfield, Michigan; assistant city manager and director of information technology in Brookings, South Dakota; and county administrator for Boone County, Illinois. He also served as a management analyst in Tulsa and began his public-sector career as a technical manager with the Illinois Department of Transportation.
During the two-month transition, Deputy County Administrator Matt Harris will serve as interim administrator. Catlin's arrival marks the conclusion of a months-long national search that began after Casey announced his retirement in December 2025. The county contracted with Raftelis to provide executive search services, with applications closing February 20, 2026, and finalist interviews conducted between late March and early May. The recruitment process included community input sessions to identify qualifications and traits the new administrator should possess.
Casey's decade of leadership coincided with significant economic development for Chesterfield County. During his tenure, the county attracted major corporate investments including LEGO, Google, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems' first grid-scale nuclear fusion power plant. These projects and others represent $12 billion in capital investment and 10,200 new jobs. Catlin assumes leadership of a county government with 4,500 full- and part-time employees and a $2.4 billion annual budget.
Key players
- Dr. Kevin Catlin: Incoming County Administrator, currently Kalamazoo County Administrator/Controller
- Dr. Joseph P. Casey: Outgoing County Administrator, retiring July 1, 2026 after 10 years
- Matt Harris: Deputy County Administrator, interim administrator July 1 to August 24
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Formal vote on appointment scheduled June 24, 2026
Key dates
- 2026-06-24: Board of Supervisors formal vote on Catlin appointment
- 2026-07-01: Casey's retirement effective; Matt Harris becomes interim administrator
- 2026-08-24: Catlin begins as County Administrator
The case for
Catlin's appointment brings proven executive experience from a Michigan county comparable in complexity to Chesterfield, offering continuity in management approach while maintaining no conflicts of interest as an outsider to local politics. His dual expertise in financial management (controller background) and emergency management aligns with the broad operational demands of the county's largest role, particularly as local governments face increasing cybersecurity and disaster-planning challenges.
The case against
Catlin has no prior experience in Virginia local government or knowledge of regional business relationships, regulatory environments, and historical issues that shaped Casey's tenure; a 1,100-mile move and start-up period may create a transition risk during any immediate operational challenges, and some residents may have preferred an internal promotion of Harris or other existing county leadership familiar with local dynamics.
Why it matters: The county administrator is the chief executive of Chesterfield's 4,500-person workforce and $2.4 billion annual budget, making this the most consequential leadership transition at the county level. Catlin's decisions will shape economic development strategy, budget priorities, service delivery, and the county's competitive position in the region during a period of rapid growth and infrastructure change.
Places
Development timeline
- 2025-12-11Casey announces retirement: Dr. Joseph P. Casey announces he will retire July 1, 2026, marking 10 years as county administrator [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2025/12/11/joe-casey-to-retire-as-chesterfield-county-administrator-next-july/)
- 2026-01-23Administrator search begins: Chesterfield Board of Supervisors posts county administrator job announcement; Raftelis contracted for executive search services [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6973)
- 2026-02-20Application deadline: Application period for county administrator position closes at 5 p.m. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6973)
- 2026-03-30Finalist interviews begin: Board of Supervisors begins interviews with finalist candidates [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6973)
- 2026-06-22Catlin appointed: Chesterfield County announces Dr. Kevin Catlin as new county administrator, effective August 24 [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/06/22/breaking-news-chesterfield-names-new-county-administrator/)
- 2026-06-24Board vote scheduled: Chesterfield Board of Supervisors to formally vote on Catlin's appointment [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/06/22/breaking-news-chesterfield-names-new-county-administrator/)
Related links
- Chesterfield County Administration
- Board of Supervisors
- County Administrator Recruitment (official announcement)
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 Local →
Sources
- Breaking News: Chesterfield names new county administrator
- County Administrator Joe Casey to Retire Effective July 2026
- Joe Casey to retire as Chesterfield County administrator next July
- Board of Supervisors Begins Recruitment Process for New County Administrator
- Meet Kalamazoo's new County Administrator/Controller Kevin A. Catlin
- Board Set to Approve New County Administrator
- Chesterfield Hires New County Administrator From Michigan