Chesterfield Names New County Administrator, Catlin Starts in August
TL;DR: Chesterfield County appointed Dr. Kevin Catlin, currently Kalamazoo County's administrator, to lead the county starting Aug. 24, replacing retiring Dr. Joe Casey.
Quick facts
- Who: Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, age 35, currently Kalamazoo County (Mich.) administrator
- What: Selected as Chesterfield County's next county administrator following nationwide recruitment
- When: Begins Aug. 24, 2026; Joe Casey retires July 1
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, 35, has been selected as Chesterfield County's next administrator, making him the first Black person to hold the position. Catlin currently serves as county administrator and controller of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, where he has managed a $325 million annual budget and workforce of approximately 1,000 people. He holds a Ph.D. in public administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield and has earned the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association. In 2026, he was named one of the Top 10 County Administrators in the United States by Government Business Review. Before Kalamazoo, he served as county administrator in Boone County, Illinois, city manager of Springfield, Michigan, and in administrative roles in South Dakota and Oklahoma.
Catlin succeeds Dr. Joseph P. Casey, who retires July 1 after exactly 10 years as Chesterfield's chief administrator. Casey, who leads a local government with more than 4,000 full-time employees and a $2.4 billion budget, announced his retirement in December 2025. Under his leadership, Chesterfield attracted major economic development including LEGO, Google, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems' first grid-scale nuclear fusion power plant project, representing $12 billion in capital investment and 10,200 projected new jobs.
The Board of Supervisors conducted a nationwide recruitment that drew approximately 40 candidates. The search was managed by Raftelis, the same consultant who assisted with the county's 2016 administrator recruitment. Board of Supervisors Chair Mark Miller said Catlin stood out among the finalist pool. The application period closed Feb. 20, and the board interviewed finalists between late March and early May. Matt Harris, deputy county administrator for finance and administration, is serving as interim administrator during the transition. Catlin will begin his tenure Aug. 24 at an annual salary of $390,000 all-inclusive.
Key players
- Dr. Kevin A. Catlin: Incoming Chesterfield County Administrator
- Dr. Joseph P. Casey: Retiring Chesterfield County Administrator (served 2016-2026)
- Mark Miller: Board of Supervisors Chair
- Matt Harris: Deputy County Administrator for Finance and Administration (interim administrator)
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors: Selected Catlin through nationwide search
Key dates
- 2026-07-01: Dr. Joe Casey's retirement becomes effective
- 2026-08-24: Dr. Kevin Catlin begins as Chesterfield County Administrator
The case for
A proven administrator from a comparable county brings external expertise and fresh perspective after a decade of continuity. Catlin's track record of economic development partnerships and fiscal stewardship in a Michigan county of similar size and suburban character demonstrates readiness for the role. His recent recognition as a Top 10 county administrator and his national credential suggest quality management during a period of rapid growth and major infrastructure projects (LEGO, Google, fusion plant) in Chesterfield.
The case against
Leadership transition always carries transition risk: institutional knowledge departs with the retiring administrator, onboarding takes time, and external hires must learn local relationships, politics, and Chesterfield's specific growth pressures. Catlin has no Virginia experience and leaves Kalamazoo before completing what may have been longer-term initiatives, raising questions about commitment and follow-through on multi-year county projects.
Why it matters: The county administrator is the county's chief operating officer, managing day-to-day operations, budget execution, and implementation of Board of Supervisors policy across all county departments. Catlin's leadership decisions will directly affect service delivery, growth management, infrastructure investment, and fiscal health as Chesterfield continues to experience significant development and population pressure.
Development timeline
- 2025-12-11Dr. Joe Casey announces retirement: County administrator announces his retirement effective July 1, 2026, after 10 years in the role. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=6871)
- 2026-01-23County begins nationwide search for new administrator: Chesterfield contracts with Raftelis for executive search; position posted and applications begin. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6973)
- 2026-02-20Application period closes: Approximately 40 candidates applied for the county administrator position. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6973)
- 2026-03-30Board begins finalist interviews: Board of Supervisors interviews finalists for county administrator position through May 1. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/6973)
- 2026-06-23Chesterfield announces Dr. Kevin Catlin as new administrator: Board of Supervisors selects Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, currently Kalamazoo County administrator, to lead county starting Aug. 24. Catlin is the first Black person to hold the position. [[source]](https://www.vpm.org/news/2026-06-23/kevin-catlin-chesterfield-county-administrator-joe-casey-kalamazoo-miller-harris)
Related links
Read the original at Chesterfield County (YouTube) →
Sources
- What new Chesterfield administrator Kevin Catlin thinks about data centers, housing, and taxes
- Chesterfield taps Kalamazoo's Kevin Catlin for county leadership
- Chesterfield leaders introduce new county administrator
- Updated: Chesterfield names Michigan county administrator to replace retiring Joe Casey
- County Administrator Joe Casey to Retire Effective July 2026
- Board of Supervisors Begins Recruitment Process for New County Administrator
- Kalamazoo County Administrator Earns National ICMA Credential
- Chesterfield Appoints Dr. Kevin Catlin as New County Administrator