Chesterfield Names New Administrator, Opens River City Sportsplex Park
TL;DR: Chesterfield County supervisors named Dr. Kevin Catlin, the county's first Black county administrator, and officially opened a $17 million park at River City Sportsplex featuring a splash pad, accessible playground, and multi-generational amenities.
Quick facts
- Who: Dr. Kevin Catlin (new county administrator); Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
- What: Appointment of county administrator and opening of expanded River City Sportsplex Park
- When: Administrator announced June 22, 2026 (starts Aug 24); park opened June 11-12, 2026
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia; River City Sportsplex (Genito Road)
The story
Chesterfield County has named Dr. Kevin Catlin as its next county administrator, marking a historic leadership transition and a first for the county. Dr. Catlin, currently the county administrator and controller of Kalamazoo, Michigan, will take office on August 24, 2026, succeeding Joe Casey, who retires effective July 1 after leading the county since 2016. Dr. Catlin becomes the county's first Black county administrator. The nationwide recruitment process evaluated approximately 40 applicants before the Board of Supervisors selected him for his experience managing complex municipal issues, personality, and readiness to bring new ideas to the position.
Dr. Catlin brings more than a decade of leadership experience from his Illinois and Michigan roles, where he managed significant infrastructure and service challenges including landfill operations, water systems, and housing initiatives. His appointment salary is $390,000 on an all-inclusive basis. Matt Harris, the Deputy County Administrator for Finance and Administration, will serve as interim administrator during the transition period from July 1 through August 23. In remarks following his introduction, Dr. Catlin expressed the weight of his historic role: "I do carry a lot of weight on my shoulders to ensure that folks who look like me know that they have an opportunity like this in the future to serve."
The same leadership team also marked the official opening of the newly expanded River City Sportsplex Park on June 11, 2026, the culmination of a $17 million investment funded through the county's 2022 bond referendum. The 6.5-acre park addition to the 115-acre Sportsplex features a 2,000-square-foot splash pad with multiple water features, a destination playground designed around James River ecosystem themes, and an accessible climbing structure shaped like a Great Blue Heron. The facility includes game spaces for tweens and teens, walking and exercise trails, fitness zones, picnic areas, and ample parking with shade structures.
Parks and Recreation Director Neil Luther emphasized the inclusive design philosophy behind the expansion: "We paid a lot of attention to play value and multi-generational and inclusive play," with three distinct activity zones designed for children across different ages and abilities. River City Sportsplex, home to 16 multi-purpose fields, serves as an economic driver for the county through youth sports tourism, hosting tournaments in soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. The newly opened park transforms the facility from a purely athletic venue into a community gathering space.
Key players
- Dr. Kevin Catlin: Newly appointed Chesterfield County Administrator (effective August 24, 2026)
- Dr. Mark Miller: Chair of the Board of Supervisors, led administrator selection process
- Joe Casey: Retiring Chesterfield County Administrator (served 2016-2026, final day July 1, 2026)
- Matt Harris: Deputy County Administrator for Finance and Administration; interim administrator July 1-Aug 24, 2026
- Neil Luther: Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Director
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Approved both the administrator appointment and park opening
Key dates
- 2026-07-01: Joe Casey's retirement effective; interim administrator Matt Harris begins
- 2026-08-24: Dr. Kevin Catlin's start date as Chesterfield County Administrator
- 2026-06-11: Official opening celebration and ribbon-cutting for River City Sportsplex Park
The case for
The appointment of Dr. Catlin brings fresh leadership and national experience in municipal administration during a time of growth in Chesterfield County, offering the board a leader who has successfully managed complex infrastructure and service challenges in other jurisdictions. The River City Sportsplex Park expansion creates multi-generational recreational space and inclusive amenities that strengthen community quality of life, drawing both local families and regional sports tourism revenue that benefits local businesses.
The case against
Transition leadership risks exist during the shift from Casey's decade-long tenure to a new administrator unfamiliar with county-specific dynamics, though the interim period allows for continuity. The $17 million park investment, while voter-approved through the 2022 bond referendum, represents significant public capital that some residents may question in terms of prioritization against other county needs such as transportation, schools, or public safety infrastructure.
Why it matters: Dr. Catlin's appointment establishes new county leadership for what is likely a multi-year tenure overseeing key decisions on growth, services, and budgeting, while the expanded Sportsplex park represents a significant community amenity that enhances quality of life and supports the county's economic development through sports tourism.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-06-22Dr. Kevin Catlin Announced as Next County Administrator: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors introduced Dr. Kevin Catlin as the county's new administrator following nationwide recruitment process, making him the county's first Black county administrator [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/newsroom)
- 2026-06-11River City Sportsplex Park Official Opening Celebration: County held official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 PM for the newly completed $17 million park expansion featuring splash pad, accessible playground, and multi-generational amenities [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/7330)
- 2026-07-01Joe Casey County Administrator Retirement Effective: Long-serving county administrator Joe Casey retires after 10 years of service; Deputy County Administrator Matt Harris begins interim role [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=6871)
- 2026-08-24Dr. Kevin Catlin Takes Office as County Administrator: Dr. Kevin Catlin officially begins his tenure as Chesterfield County Administrator, replacing interim leadership [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/newsroom)
Related links
- Chesterfield County Official Newsroom
- County Administrator Joe Casey Retirement Announcement
- River City Sportsplex Park Official Opening
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
Read the original at Richmond BizSense →
Sources
- Chesterfield County Official Newsroom
- County Administrator Joe Casey Retirement Announcement
- River City Sportsplex Park Official Opening
- Richmond BizSense - Local Government Briefs (June 29, 2026)