Hackel Appoints Chippewa Valley Superintendent Deputy County Executive

Chippewa Valley Schools Superintendent Mark Deldin will leave his current post in January to become Macomb County's first deputy county executive.

Macomb County Executive-Elect Mark Hackel appointed Deldin, 53, to the position following Deldin's service on Hackel's Council of Policy Advisory team.

"This was not a position I was out seeking," Deldin said. "I have known Mark Hackel for about 10 years and he asked some months ago if I would serve on his advisory committee. To be part of this new form of government that is about to take place in Macomb and to be part of Hackel's team was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

Deldin will remain with the district until Jan. 21, and will start as second-in-command in Macomb County on Jan. 24.

The Chippewa Valley Schools Board of Education will appoint an interim superintendent at its meeting on Dec. 13.

"Mark has been a great superintendent, not only dealing with students and faculty and academics, but also in a business aspect," said Henry Chiodini, board of education president. "We've done exceptionally well all through his tenure and we're going to miss his business expertise, which obviously he is going to bring to the county. That Hackel picked him says a lot not only about Mark, but about (the district) and the type of people we have."

Deldin has worked in education for more than 35 years and has served as superintendent in Chippewa Valley Schools since 2005.

He holds a bachelor of business administration degree from the Detroit College of Business, and a master of science degree in human resource administration from Central Michigan University.

"Mark Deldin will bring to the position of deputy county executive a wealth of experience in government and sound public policy judgment," Hackel said in a release. "He is a highly skilled and accomplished public servant who will be a great asset to Macomb County government."

As superintendent, Deldin managed a $131 million budget, more than 1,800 employees and the operation of 24 district buildings.

Deldin said he believes he will be able to draw on this experience in his new role, in which he will be responsible for managing a $460 million budget, 43 departments and some 830,000 county residents.

"We're all government entities," Deldin said. "We're all responsible on tax revenues to fund our operations. Most of the needs are the same in terms of facilities and infrastructure and I have experience in both as well as business. I think I'll be able to take a fresh look at things and bring about efficiencies to help the bottom line."

He added his belief that the biggest issue facing Macomb County in 2011 is the budget deficits, which he, as deputy, will work to balance.

The responsibilities of his new office include coordinating county departments and services, developing and researching initiatives and proposals and advising Hackel on the status of current projects and initiatives in the county.

"One of the greatest strengths is his ability to manage people," Hackel said in a press release. "He's well versed in issues that affect the people of Macomb County, having previously dealt with numerous issues through his associations with county schools and local government."

Deldin said the choice to leave the position of superintendent was one of the most difficult he has ever had to make.

"I love Chippewa Valley Schools," Deldin said. "It's an outstanding organization and it is because of the people who are here that make it outstanding. I've been honored to be the lead public servant."