City of Kentwood Welcomes Heather Visco as Human Resources Director

The City of Kentwood has announced Heather Visco as its new human resources director.

In this role, Visco will lead the City’s human resources functions and staff, including employee recruitment, team member development and employee and labor relations efforts. She will also oversee the strategic planning, development and administration of employment-related inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility initiatives.  

Visco began her new role with the City today and was confirmed by the City Commission at its Aug. 15 meeting.  

“The City of Kentwood is pleased to welcome Heather to our team,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “She has extensive experience in human resources management, recruitment and talent strategies which will assist in our goals of making the City of Kentwood a wonderful place to launch and establish careers serving community.” 

Visco brings a broad background in private and public sector human resources to the City. Most recently, she was the human resources manager at EBW Electronics in Ottawa County. In this position, she oversaw all day-to-day functions of the HR department, led employee relations and recruitment efforts and managed employee benefits programs and payroll.

She previously held supervisory HR roles with the Van Buren Intermediate and Ottawa Area Intermediate school districts, supporting HR functions including recruitment, contract negotiations, training and onboarding efforts among many others.  

“It is an honor to join the City of Kentwood as human resources director,” Visco said. “The City has a strong team of dedicated employees working to make the community a wonderful place to live and work, and I am looking forward to supporting the individuals and organization behind that effort.”  

Visco holds a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University in English education and a graduate certificate in human resources administration from Central Michigan University. She is working toward a master’s degree in law for human resources professionals at Wayne State University with an anticipated graduation in the fall of 2024.

She is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management and serves as a board member and communications director for the Lakeshore Human Resources Management Association.

Visco succeeds Gail Dewey, who has moved into the part-time role of deputy human resources director.