MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, MI - Meridian Township Deputy Manager and Director of Public Works, Derek Perry, has been named the new City Manager for the City of Marshall, MI. After 7 years with the township, Perry is expected to begin his new position starting Feb. 21.

Perry has had no shortage of experience in his professional career. He has achieved both a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Western Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry from Michigan Technological University. Over the past 23 years, Perry has worked in multiple local government and community positions including a previous position as the Deputy Director of Utilities and Infrastructure in the City of Marshall prior to his time in Meridian Township.

Frank L Walsh, Meridian Township Manager, recruited Perry for his position at St. Joseph, and in 2015 recruited him once again to Meridian Township

“Derek’s customer service skills are unmatched and he is a tremendously kind and compassionate guy. I’m happy for him to secure his new position in Marshall. Marshall is gaining a 5-Star recruit,” Walsh said.

During his time in Meridian Township, Perry has worked on items such as water main replacement, sewer repairs, generator projects, local road development and much more. Perry says the biggest component of his job is creating a better quality of life for all residents, and he achieves this by completing tasks most residents don’t think about.

“I’m proud of the team that really provides that service, which would be our public works teams, engineering teams, people at the Elmswood plant, and the people at the wastewater treatment plant,” Perry said.

Although Perry has worked on multiple landmark projects for the township, he says the Boardwalk is one that stands out.

“I think that’s pretty cool that a community our size, with our size of engineering team, was able to do that in house,” Perry said. “ A lot of communities would say ‘you know what, we are going to bring in a consultant to do this’.”

The position as Assistant Township Manager will be filled by Dan Opsommer, a Meridian Township Trustee. Perry says he has no doubts Opsommer will do a great job and is confident in his abilities to provide the community with what they need.

“The only advice I would have for him is to be yourself and when you don't have the answer don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Perry said.