City of Kentwood Promotes Chad Griffin to Director of Public Works

The City of Kentwood has promoted Chad Griffin to director of the Public Works Department.

Griffin previously served as the City of Kentwood’s building maintenance supervisor. In his new role, he will oversee the City’s Public Works Department functions and staff. He will start Sept. 11.

“Chad has played an invaluable role in creating a positive culture and a high standard of public service throughout his career with the City of Kentwood,” Mayor Stephen Kepley said. “He has proven to be a wonderful asset to the department’s success and an ideal team player for the entire City.

“He is dedicated to the public works profession and serving the needs of our community. We look forward to his leadership in this new role.”

Griffin succeeds John Gorney, who in May accepted a position with the City of Grand Rapids as its public works director.

The Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining the City’s infrastructure, which includes more than 150 miles of pipes underground and more than 155 miles of streets above ground, as well as the City’s parks and grounds, buildings and fleet of vehicles. There are nearly 30 full- and part-time staff who are all cross-trained for work in the department’s five divisions: Building Maintenance, Fleet Services, Grounds Maintenance, Streets Maintenance and Utilities Services.

Griffin was first hired by the City in August 2014 as a maintenance worker. He was promoted to parks maintenance specialist in December 2016 and to building maintenance supervisor in November 2019. In 2017, he was the Public Works Department Employee of the Year. He served as the Kentwood General Employees’ Association union vice president from 2017-19.

“Becoming a DPW director has been a career goal of mine,” Griffin said. “I am honored to be able to further develop and grow my leadership skills in this role and look forward to doing what I can for the betterment of the Kentwood community and the Public Works team.”

Griffin is a graduate of Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Valley State University. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology. Griffin has earned the national playground safety inspector certification and state building operator, S1 water operator and commercial pesticide applicator certifications. He also holds a commercial driver’s license with a tanker endorsement.