City of Kentwood Welcomes Shay Gallagher as Deputy City Administrator

The City of Kentwood has announced Shay Gallagher as its new deputy city administrator.

In this role, Gallagher will oversee a variety of City operations with the mayor to support the City’s mission and vision. He will be responsible for providing policy and procedure guidance, strategic planning, program evaluation and communications strategies to ensure City goals and objectives are met and services are provided in an effective and efficient manner.

Gallagher will foster cooperative working relationships with all City staff, the City Commission, intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and community organizations to develop and implement programs that provide high-quality services, support strong neighborhoods and promote a sustainable economy.

He will facilitate implementation of the City’s parks, trails and recreation millage investment plan and lead other special projects. He will also represent the City on multi-jurisdictional committees and boards.

Gallagher begins his new role with the City of Kentwood Tuesday, Dec. 27.

“We are pleased to welcome Shay to the City of Kentwood,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “Shay brings a strong background in public administration that will be a great benefit to our team and community. I look forward to his partnership in furthering the City’s efforts to foster a thriving community for all.”

Gallagher brings seven years of municipal leadership experience to the position, including most recently as village manager of Sparta. In this role, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of all village services, including police, public works and streets, water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, airport, finance and administration.

As village manager, Gallagher also oversaw a $12 million annual budget with more than 20 full-time employees in six departments and two bargaining units and implemented a comprehensive capital improvement plan.

Gallagher was resourceful in securing grants and other funding for various village projects. He acquired $363,375 in grant funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for revitalization and placemaking. He also assisted in securing a $850,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration and Michigan Department of Transpiration Aeronautics for a new airport runway lighting system, among other accomplishments.

Prior to Sparta, Gallagher served as deputy city manager of Coopersville, deputy supervisor of Algoma Township and village manager of Lakeview. In these roles, he assisted with budget preparation and presentation, operational oversight, implementation of board/council vision and policies, leadership to various department directors and staff and management of special projects.

“I’m honored to serve the City of Kentwood as deputy city administrator,” Gallagher said. “I look forward to collaborating with all departments, commissioners and community partners to implement commission and community priorities.

“I hope to hit the ground running with Kentwood’s upcoming parks improvement and placemaking opportunities as well as supporting many other department initiatives citywide.”

Gallagher is active in the Grand Valley Metro Council, International City-County Management Association, Michigan Infrastructure Council, Michigan Municipal Executives and West Michigan Municipal Executives.

He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and government and a master’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University.