​Whitmer Taps Former Detroit CFO As New State Budget Director

MICHIGAN — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Monday announced that she had appointed Dave Massaron to serve as the state's new budget director.

Massaron is Detroit's Chief Financial Officer, a role in which he supervised all of the city’s financial and budget activities. Prior to his service as CFO, he served as the city’s chief operating officer and senior counsel to Mayor Mike Duggan. He was responsible for the day to day operations of the city, including the city's annual budgets.

Massaron replaces former state budget director Chris Kolb, who left the post to take over as the ice President for Government Relations at the University of Michigan. Massaron's appointment is effective Jan. 4.

“Throughout his service to the city of Detroit, Dave Massaron has shown a deep commitment to ensuring Detroiters have the support they need," Whitmer said in a statement announcing Massaron's appointment. "He is uniquely qualified to serve as budget director for the state, where I am confident he will work around the clock to build a balanced budget that supports our recovery from the pandemic by investing in our public schools, public health and safety, and economic opportunity.

“I look forward to working closely with Dave to pass a bipartisan budget and ensure we provide everyone the support and services they need.”

Massaron developed the strategy and budget to continue essential city operations during the pandemic while balancing a budget with an over $400 million revenue loss in his role as CFO, according to a news release.

In his role as COO for Detroit, Massaron led a team of departments that created a plan to fix Detroit roads and spur economic development along main streets in Detroit’s neighborhoods, officials said.

Massaron also worked to create the Detroit Promise Zone Authority and fund the Detroit Promise, which provides tuition-free college educations for Detroit high school graduates.

“I am grateful that Governor Whitmer has entrusted me with the task of building a strong, balanced budget for Michiganders that invests in our shared values,” Massaron said. “It was the greatest honor of my career to work and learn from Mayor Duggan as we restructured the City to better serve its residents. I’m ready and eager to work with the Governor’s team and the State Legislature to get a bipartisan budget passed for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.”

Duggan said Massaron was an "outstanding CFO for the city of Detroit" and congratulated him for being appointed to the state position.

“He helped set Detroit on a course of continued financial stability while ensuring continued service levels we’ve maintained, even during COVID-19," Duggan said. "Dave leaves the city in a strong financial position, which has made it possible for us to sell up to $250 million in bonds to transform more of our neighborhoods through Proposal N. I wish him well and know he will be just as successful as our state’s budget director.”

Massaron is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University and the William and Mary School of Law.