MAYOR'S Team
Stephen Kepley
Mayor Stephen Kepley is a licensed professional engineer and holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Virginia Tech. He has served the residents of Kentwood as mayor and head administrator since 2013. By Kentwood City Charter, the mayor is also the head administrator for the City, managing day-to-day operations. He previously served as Kentwood’s director of Engineering and Inspections for 10 years and worked for a national manufacturer of civil engineering product solutions for 15 years prior to his Kentwood service.
In January 2018, Mayor Kepley was appointed chairperson of The Rapid Board of Directors, a role he served for four years. In January 2022, he was selected to join the Michigan Municipal League’s Board of Trustees. He currently serves on Kent County’s Sustainable Business Park Stakeholder Advisory Group studying the issue of long-term sustainability of Kent County’s Municipal Solid Waste management.
Deputy City Administrator Shay Gallagher
Shay Gallagher holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and government and a master’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University. He has served as deputy city administrator with the City of Kentwood since December 2022. Previously, he served as village manager of Sparta, deputy city manager of Coopersville and village manager of Lakeview.
Shay is active in the Grand Valley Metro Council, International City-County Management Association, Michigan Infrastructure Council, Michigan Municipal Executives and West Michigan Municipal Executives.