GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – One county’s search has ended, resulting in another county having to begin its own search.
The Kent County Board of Commissioners on Thursday (June 24, 2021) voted unanimously to offer a contract to Al Vanderberg as the county’s new administrator. He emerged as the choice to replace Wayman Britt after a search that encompassed over 140 candidates, and beat out Kent County Health Department Director Adam London and Khalfani Stephens, the Economic Development Director for the City of Flint in the final round this week.
Vanderberg, who left Grand Rapids in 2003 after four years as Kent County’s Deputy Administrator to become Ottawa County’s fifth-ever Administrator, leaves a void in West Olive following 18 years at the post, and Commissioner Al Dannenberg echoed the sentiments of his board colleagues in saying that Vanderberg will be missed.
“He has implemented a lot of different things,” the Zeeland Republican said on “WHTC Talk of the Town” during an appearance on Thursday. “The new motto – ‘This is Where You Belong;’ the parks have grown, we have a stellar sheriff’s department. I think all of the directors and other elected officials have supported him, but nothing is ever permanent, so we are aware that we would have to make some changes.”
The Ottawa County board is expected next week to set up the process for replacing Vanderberg.
Britt retires as Kent County’s administrator on July 24th after 17 years, as the former U-M basketball star assumed his position a year after Vanderberg took over the operational reins of Ottawa County government.
Comments