Michael Duben. Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

After a months’ long search, Chatham-Kent finally has a new Chief Administrative Officer.

Michael Duben has been named, pending Council approval on Monday. 

Duben comes by way of Oxford County, where he currently serves as CAO. He also has CAO experience working for the District Municipality of Muskoka for seven years, a senior corporate law partner in Windsor, and various roles within the City of Windsor.

Chatham-Kent’s CAO search began when Don Shropshire announced his impending retirement in the spring of 2021, with an official search launched the following September.

Former General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Thomas Kelly was initially named as Shropshire’s replacement, but this past March it was announced he was no longer with the municipality following allegations of harassment to the Ministry of Labour. 

Duben’s tenure as CAO is set to begin September 8th. Tony Haddad will remain on in an interim role until then.