Chesterfield Introduces Incoming County Administrator Dr. Kevin A. Catlin
TL;DR: Chesterfield County has appointed Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, 35, the current Kalamazoo County administrator, as its new County Administrator, effective August 24, making him the first Black person in the role.
Quick facts
- Who: Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, 35; Board of Supervisors Chair Mark Miller; outgoing Administrator Dr. Joseph P. Casey
- What: Announcement of new County Administrator selection from national search of approximately 40 candidates
- When: June 22, 2026 (announcement); August 24, 2026 (start date)
- Where: Chesterfield County Historic Courthouse, Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
Chesterfield County has appointed Dr. Kevin A. Catlin as its next County Administrator following a national search that attracted approximately 40 candidates. The announcement was made on June 22, 2026 at the county's Historic Courthouse. Catlin, 35, currently serves as County Administrator and Controller for Kalamazoo County, Michigan, where he oversees a $325 million annual budget and a workforce of 1,000 employees. He will become the first Black person to hold Chesterfield's top administrative post and will earn a $390,000 salary. Board of Supervisors Chair Mark Miller said Catlin "stood out" among the applicant pool.
Catlin brings more than a decade of executive experience in the public sector, including prior roles as County Administrator in Boone County, Illinois; City Manager of Springfield, Michigan; Assistant City Manager and IT Director in Brookings, South Dakota; and Management Analyst in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He holds a Doctor of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration, and Bachelor of Arts degree (Criminal Justice) from the University of Illinois Springfield. He has earned the ICMA Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association and was recently named one of the Top 10 County Administrators in the United States for 2026 by Government Business Review.
Catlin replaces Dr. Joseph P. Casey, who announced his retirement effective July 1, 2026, after leading Chesterfield County since 2016. During Casey's 10-year tenure, the county attracted major economic development projects including LEGO, Google, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems' first grid-scale nuclear fusion power plant, representing $12 billion in capital investment and 10,200 new jobs. Deputy County Administrator Matt Harris will serve as interim administrator from July 1 until Catlin's start date of August 24.
The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors was scheduled to formally vote on Catlin's appointment on June 24, 2026. Catlin's appointment signals continuity in county leadership while introducing a new perspective to Chesterfield's role as a major economic hub in the Richmond region. As administrator, Catlin will oversee a county with more than 4,000 full-time employees and a $2.4 billion budget.
Key players
- Dr. Kevin A. Catlin: Incoming County Administrator (effective August 24, 2026)
- Dr. Joseph P. Casey: Outgoing County Administrator (retiring July 1, 2026 after 10 years)
- Mark Miller: Board of Supervisors Chair
- Matt Harris: Deputy County Administrator; interim administrator (July 1 to August 24, 2026)
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Elected body with authority to confirm appointment
Key dates
- 2026-06-24: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors formal vote on Dr. Catlin's appointment
- 2026-07-01: Dr. Joseph P. Casey's retirement becomes effective; Matt Harris assumes interim administrator role
- 2026-08-24: Dr. Kevin A. Catlin officially begins as County Administrator
The case for
Leadership continuity with demonstrated economic development success. Catlin brings proven experience managing large public-sector operations and a track record of transformation (recognized as a Top 10 County Administrator nationally in 2026). His prior roles show breadth across different local government contexts and budget scales, and his ICMA credential reflects professional excellence. His appointment diversity also expands representation in county leadership, sending a signal about the county's values and modern governance priorities.
The case against
Transition risk during significant economic growth. A new administrator always introduces uncertainty about continuity of vision and relationships with regional partners, state officials, and development communities during a critical period for Chesterfield's $12 billion investment pipeline. Starting mid-budget-cycle (August) rather than at a calendar year boundary may complicate long-range planning. Catlin has no prior experience in Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic region, or managing a county of Chesterfield's scale and economic profile, which could create a learning curve on local dynamics and stakeholder relationships.
Why it matters: Chesterfield County is entering a new era of leadership with a major change in its top administrative post. The County Administrator manages $2.4 billion in annual spending and 4,000 employees, making this appointment critical to residents' quality of life, infrastructure planning, economic development, and county services. Catlin's arrival, combined with an interim leadership bridge, will shape the county's direction through major projects including Commonwealth Fusion Systems' nuclear plant, continued LEGO and Google operations, and broader regional economic positioning.
Places
Development timeline
- 2025-12-11Dr. Joseph P. Casey announces retirement: County Administrator announces planned retirement effective July 1, 2026, after 10 years in role [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2025/12/11/joe-casey-to-retire-as-chesterfield-county-administrator-next-july/)
- 2026-06-22Dr. Kevin A. Catlin announced as finalist for County Administrator: Public ceremony at Historic Courthouse announces Catlin as selected finalist from national search of ~40 candidates; Board scheduled to vote on appointment June 24 [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/06/22/breaking-news-chesterfield-names-new-county-administrator/)
- 2026-06-24Board of Supervisors votes on Catlin appointment: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors scheduled to formally vote on Dr. Catlin's appointment as County Administrator [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/06/22/breaking-news-chesterfield-names-new-county-administrator/)
- 2026-07-01Casey retirement effective; interim administrator takes role: Dr. Joseph P. Casey's retirement becomes effective; Matt Harris begins interim County Administrator duties [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=6871)
- 2026-08-24Dr. Kevin A. Catlin begins as County Administrator: Dr. Catlin officially assumes the County Administrator position [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/06/22/breaking-news-chesterfield-names-new-county-administrator/)
Related links
- Chesterfield County Government Official Website
- County Administration - Chesterfield County
- Board of Supervisors - Chesterfield County
- What new Chesterfield administrator Kevin Catlin thinks about data centers, housing, and taxes - WTVR
Read the original at Chesterfield County (YouTube) →
Sources
- Breaking News: Chesterfield names new county administrator - Richmond BizSense
- What new Chesterfield administrator Kevin Catlin thinks about data centers, housing, and taxes - WTVR
- County Administrator Joe Casey to Retire Effective July 2026 - Chesterfield County Official
- Joe Casey to retire as Chesterfield County administrator next July - Richmond BizSense
- Miller, Carroll elected to serve as Board of Supervisors chair, vice chair for 2026 - Chesterfield County Official
- Kalamazoo County Administrator Earns National ICMA Credential
- Meet Kalamazoo's new County Administrator/Controller Kevin A. Catlin - WKZO