Grand Rapids Deputy City Manager Eric DeLong Announces His Pending Retirement

Press release from the City of Grand Rapids:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – His fingerprints can be found on a series of projects that have made Grand Rapids one of America’s greatest mid-sized cities. Over the past 26 years, Deputy City Manager Eric DeLong has been a major player in a variety of public infrastructure and improvement projects that have enhanced residents’ quality of life and made Grand Rapids a destination city. Now, after a distinguished, 42-year career in public service, DeLong is planning the next stage of his public life. He recently notified City Manager Mark Washington about his planned retirement in early 2022.

DeLong coordinates policy and direction for nine City departments including: Engineering, Planning and Design, Economic Development, Mobile GR and Traffic Safety, Community Development/Code Compliance, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Grand Rapids Water System and Environmental Services. As chief operating officer, he oversees a $280 million budget spread across those departments, along with assuming leadership roles in many of the City’s strategic initiatives. He has played a significant role in development of the City’s transformation and strategic plans; the City’s Vital Streets program; parks, pools and playgrounds proposal; and the development of the arena, convention center and medical mile. What’s more, he’s currently steering completion of the City’s biodigester/natural gas/phosphorous recovery, Grand River restoration/River for All, and 201 Market Ave./Kent County Road Commission projects.

“I have had the privilege to serve as deputy city manager to three exceptional city managers – Kurt Kimball, Greg Sundstrom and Mark Washington - all of whom are dedicated to this community,” DeLong said. “Working together with residents, business leaders, our exceptional staff, Mayors and City Commissioners, we have built a better city by design. Best of all, we have built momentum for a very promising future. It has been an honor to help Grand Rapidians achieve their vision for what their city could become. My wife, Sharai, and I treasure this community and call it home.”

DeLong joined the City of Grand Rapids as its assistant city manager overseeing public works in May 1995. He earned the promotion to deputy city manager – a role his has held since – in November 1999 and has served three city managers in that role. During his tenure with the City, he served as interim/acting city manager for seven months following the 2009 retirement of City Manager Kurt Kimball. He again served in that same capacity for seven months following the 2018 retirement of City Manager Greg Sundstrom. Prior to Grand Rapids, DeLong served as the Spring Lake village manager from January 1983 to April 1995 and as an administrative assistant to the city manager of City of Portage from March 1979 to December 1982.

DeLong has served as a member of the Governor’s 21st Century Infrastructure Commission, the Michigan Council on Future Mobility, the Michigan Trial Court Funding Commission, and the Michigan Infrastructure Asset Management Pilot. DeLong is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and is a 2013 recipient of the prestigious John M. Patriarche Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Municipal League. He serves as Treasurer of the Michigan Municipal Services Authority.

City Manager Mark Washington said DeLong has made a tremendous contribution to the City, “…having played a leading role in its growth and development through a collaborative, solution-oriented approach emphasizing partnerships and shared vision.

“When I arrived in Grand Rapids, Eric was among the first people to welcome me, and he did so warmly with a sincere commitment to help ensure our City’s success. He has consistently honored that commitment, for which I will always be thankful,” Washington said.

“Eric is one of the hardest working people I know, and his commitment is reflected not only in the sheer quantity of hours he gives to his work, but also in the excellent quality and consistency of his leadership. His expertise in the principles of city management – generally, and the policies and procedures of this City, specifically – is unsurpassed. His ability to synthesize information from multiple sources, disciplines and departments to arrive at unique and innovative solutions has been outstanding,” he said.

“City government and community will have many opportunities over the next few months to thank Eric for his exceptional service to Grand Rapids and to wish him well in retirement.”

This press release was produced by the City of Grand Rapids. The views expressed here are the author’s own.