Editor’s Note: This story was originally published at 6:10 pm on March 27, 2024. It was updated at 10:46 a.m. on March 28, 2024 to clarify that West is the Detroit city clerk’s chief of staff.
The Montgomery County Council has named Caven West, currently serving as the Detroit city clerk’s chief of staff, as its new executive director, according to a news release Wednesday.
In this role, West will serve as the chief adviser to the council. His job responsibilities include drafting and analysis of legislation, supervising council staff members and working with staff members on the fiscal year 2025 operating budget. Also, he will oversee the provision of services required for the council to make its decisions and represent the council on interagency boards.
The council will officially vote on West’s confirmation during its April 9 meeting. Once confirmed, West is expected to begin work on April 22.
West will succeed Marlene Michaelson, who has served as the council’s executive director since 2018. Michaelson announced in September that she intended to retire in February. Previously, she had been a senior legislative analyst for the council for over 30 years.
West was selected through a national search conducted by the council.
“This role requires a seasoned leader with technical expertise managing large, complex government budgets and a proven track record of leading and developing teams to innovate and bring systems change,” Council President Andrew Friedson (D-Dist. 1) wrote in a press release. “Caven has demonstrated expertise in all these areas at the city, county and state level, and we look forward to bringing his talents and knowledge to Montgomery County.”
West has worked in city, county and state government roles for more than 25 years, according to the county press release. He currently oversees a $30 million budget and supervises the Detroit City Council staff, operations and local elections. He previously served as the chief deputy director and chief of staff for the clerk of Michigan’s Wayne County. As chief fiscal adviser for the Wayne County Commission, West was responsible for legislative oversight of the county’s $2.2 billion budget.