OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Mar. 25, 2022) – The right man to take over operational leadership of Ottawa County government was apparently right under the Board’s noses.
Commissioners on Thursday voted unanimously to extend a contract offer for the next County Administrator to John Shay. Deputy Administrator since 2018, Shay took over the top spot on an interim basis nearly nine months ago when Al Vanderberg stepped down to accept a similar position in Kent County.
The decision came after a final public interview between the Board and Shay, who emerged as the top choice from 36 who had applied. A committee handling the selection process waived an initial county residency requirement to broaden the field of prospective administrators, and apparently that decision enabled Shay, who commutes daily from his home in Ludington to the Fillmore Street Complex in West Olive, to be considered for the full-time leadership position.
Shay had been Ludington’s City Manager for 15 years before coming to Ottawa County, and has additional past administrative experience as the village manager in Almont.
Although contract terms are yet to be finalized, Shay will be executing his duties as the full-time Administrator immediately.
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