Coraggio Consulting
Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Meeting - Swearing-In Ceremony for Kevin A. Catlin, D.P.A., Monday, August 24, 2026

Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
Place: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, Virginia
Length: 17m (video)
Official meeting video (CivicClerk): https://chesterfieldcova.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3152/media
Official agenda (CivicClerk): https://chesterfieldcova.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5205,plainText=false)
Official minutes (CivicClerk): https://chesterfieldcova.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5217,plainText=false)

Machine transcript (speech-to-text) produced by Coraggio Consulting. Not an official county record. Names and numbers may be misspelled; check the video at the timestamp before quoting.
Speech-to-text: whisper.cpp, model large-v3-turbo. Produced 2026-10-23. Timestamps are [HH:MM:SS] into the meeting video.

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[00:00:04] Okay. Good morning and welcome. We can do better than that, Chesterfield. Come on. Good morning. That's the Chesterfield we know. I'm Dave Goode. I'm Director of Constituent Media Services, and I have the pleasure this morning of getting us started. Today's program is designed to be brief, but it's also an incredibly important one in which we swear in the next county administrator on his first day of work. Before I continue, I'd like to introduce those who have made today possible, and that's our Board of Supervisors. We have our Chair and Midlothian District Representative, Dr. Mark Miller, our Vice Chair, Matoka District Representative, Kevin Carroll,

[00:00:45] Bermuda District Supervisor, Jim Engel, Clover Hill District Supervisor, Jessica Schneider, and Dr. Laquan Hilton, representing the Dale District. Of course, also with us today is Dr. Catlin, our new county administrator, and Amanda Pohl, our circuit court clerk, who will be administering the oath. Dr. Catlin, on behalf of the entire county workforce, I welcome you, Nate, and the newest family member, Beckett, to Chesterfield.

[00:01:18] We wish you and your family tremendous success and happiness here. Reflective of the importance of the role Dr. Catlin assumes today is the fact that we've only had 10 county administrators in a position that dates back to the 1930s and was originally called Executive Secretary.

[00:01:37] I'm happy to see we have a former county administrator with us, Dr. Joe Casey, And I also see we have a former Deputy County Administrator, Mr. Pete Stith.

[00:02:03] The position of County Administrator has evolved from being a one-person operation to the position it is today, overseeing the day-to-day operation of a dynamic, full-service local government.

[00:02:19] That's to say it's a demanding job. For the past two months, Matt Harris, our Deputy County Administrator of Administration and Finance, has served in an interim role as our county administrator. Matt, on behalf of all departments and all employees, I want to thank you for an incredibly well done job.

[00:02:41] Thank you. And now, Matt, we're going to give you a break as we get Dr. Catlin's horn in. To get that started, it's my pleasure to now welcome our board chair, Dr. Mark Miller.

[00:02:59] Thank you. - My appreciation to David Good for warming up the crowd. Yeah, you kind of feel it. I mean, the importance of this, and you can kind of feel the energy.

[00:03:23] Good morning, everyone. We know that today is an exciting chapter, as we officially welcome Dr. Kevin Catlin and Chesterfield County's next county administrator. Before I get started, I want to introduce some folks that are here.

[00:03:40] When I say your name, please raise your hand. Folks sometimes just don't know, like, what they should do, so I figure I'll give some sort of instructions with that. I'm going to start with Senator Mike Jones. So, all right. And Delegate Leslie Mehta. Delegate Lindsey Doherty. We have our Commissioner of Revenue

[00:04:09] here, Jennifer Hughes. Commonwealth Attorney Aaron Barr. Clerk of the Court, you've kind of already met her, Amanda Pohl. And also our Treasurer, Rebecca Longnaker. Where are you?

[00:04:31] Hi. I know that Joe Casey has already been introduced. It's good to see you. Lane Ramsey, where are you? Lane, are you here? I wasn't sure if Lane was here. No, okay. And then Judge Landry, where are you hanging out? Is Judge Landry here? No, okay. Former BOS Board of Supervisors, my predecessor Dan Gecker is here. Hey, Dan. It's good to see you. Dorothy Jekyll is here.

[00:05:03] And I would be remiss if I didn't definitely recognize Judith Holland. So thank you for being here. Yeah. Feel the love. Feel the love. Lisa Hudgens is here from the school board.

[00:05:26] Dominique Chatters. There's Dominique. Steve Peranto is here. And Ann Coker. It's good to see you, Ann. Hiding in the back, Sheriff Leonard, where are you? There you are. Thank you for being here, of course. And then Chief Center, where are you? Congratulations on the certification.

[00:05:53] I, too, want to appreciate Matt Harris. Matt, where are you? He's going to do everything. Hey, Matt, how quickly 60 days can go by and how slow 60 days can go by. And so grateful for you and your willingness to step in in the interim and to kind of hold down the floor.

[00:06:15] Thank you for that. I also, before I want to get started, I want to appreciate my board. I am very lucky to have such an incredible board. We went on this journey together to find a new county administrator. And I have so appreciated all of your insight, support, camaraderie, and frankly love through this process.

[00:06:42] So thank you all. This is a really important day, and there's just no way that we could have gotten to this day if it wasn't for an incredible board. I'm so grateful, so thank you. Look, the role of county administrator is one of the most important positions in our local government.

[00:07:05] It carries a tremendous responsibility and it requires strong leadership, a deep commitment to public service, and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people and, of course, perspectives. Being a county administrator is not just a job you do alone.

[00:07:24] It means working closely with the board, county employees, community partners, and residents. It requires someone who understands that the best work happens when people are willing to listen, share ideas, and work together towards a common goal. Dr. Catlin, we believe your ability to build relationship and foster collaboration will serve Chesterfield very, very well. You are stepping into an organization with a talented and dedicated workforce, an engaged community,

[00:07:59] and a board that is committed to turning shared priorities into meaningful results. So on behalf of the entire Board of Supervisors, our dedicated team, Chesterfield, congratulations. We are thrilled. We are thrilled to have you here, and we look forward to working alongside you in the many years to come. I also want to appreciate Nate, their daughter, Beckett, and I think it'll be kind of fun to just kind of watch her grow up here in Chesterfield.

[00:08:33] So on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I want to welcome you to our community, and we couldn't be more excited to have you all here. Well, Dr. Catlin, that means it's time.

[00:08:56] If I could ask you all to come up.

[00:09:09] Dr. Catlin, if you could please raise your right hand and place your left hand on your family Bible and please repeat after me. I, Dr. Kevin Catlin. I, Dr. Kevin Catlin.

[00:09:26] Do solemnly swear or affirm. Do solemnly swear or affirm. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. And the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. And that I will faithfully and impartially. And I will faithfully and impartially.

[00:09:42] Discharge and perform. Discharge and perform. All the duties incumbent upon me. All the duties incumbent upon me. As the County Administrator for Chesterfield County. As the County Administrator for Chesterfield County. For a term beginning April 24th, 2026. For a term beginning April, August 24th.

[00:09:59] It is August. Yeah. We're going back in time. I'm repeating what Simon says. so uh august 24th 2026 according to the best of my ability according to the best of my abilities so help me god so help me god congratulations thank you thank you it is now my pleasure to introduce dr catlin to the mic well thank you everyone for being here i am uh elated uh and

[00:10:38] that's just saying the least uh appreciate the the turnout here and look forward to visiting with each and every one of you, and I really truly mean that. There are just a few things I'd like to say. They gave me 30 minutes, so, you know, that's what they gave me. No, it shouldn't take me 30 minutes, but again, really appreciate being here. So Chair Miller, Vice Chair Carroll, members of the Board of Supervisors, community, employees, which I like to call my co-workers, residents, community partners, and honored guests, good morning to you all.

[00:11:12] We all know that today is the first day of school, so I appreciate everyone's time and attention in being here. It seems that I am also starting a new chapter right alongside some of our youngest residents. Now that I have taken the oath, that page has finally been turned.

[00:11:30] The significance of that oath isn't found in each word you heard me speak this morning, but in the moments that follow. It's a promise to you, the residents of Chesterfield, that I will serve with integrity and dedication. For me, it's a normal way of life.

[00:11:47] Each conversation, decision, and action should and will reflect the values of our First Choice community, even when no one is watching. I am truly honored that my family and I are now part of that community. I'd like to take this moment to thank my spouse, our newest addition, Beckett, my friends, family, mentors, and colleagues who have supported me through my career and helped shape me into who I am today.

[00:12:16] While I haven't been here long, the community has welcomed us with open arms, and we're truly appreciative of that. I understand that trust is something that must be built, and it is something I intend to do every day, day by day, and brick by brick.

[00:12:34] So thank you to the Board of Supervisors for believing in my ability to implement their vision of their constituents that they have instilled in them. Most importantly, I thank all of them for trusting me. I am now one of a long line of public servants to dedicate themselves to the people of Chesterfield County.

[00:12:52] More than 50 years ago, Melvin Burnett became the first person to hold the title of County Administrator. And even before that, residents appointed to hold the title of Executive Secretary carried the responsibility of administrative leadership alongside members of the Board of Supervisors.

[00:13:09] Every person to serve in this position since then has created a legacy of professionalism, respect, and integrity. Ten years ago, Dr. Joe Casey stood in this historic space and took the same oath that I have taken today. Today, there is no Chesterfield without Joe Casey.

[00:13:28] The words have become synonymous. Matt Harris, you have diligently been carrying the torch. Thank you for answering the call to serve and readily supporting this community through thoughtful leadership and immense institutional knowledge, as you have for many years.

[00:13:44] And Matt, I look forward to working with you and the other deputy county administrators with us. Because of the exceptional leadership already in place, I've been handed a fiscally sound, opportunity-rich, and people-focused community. Joe, Matt, and many others have helped to ensure that I am prepared to carry the torch forward. After all, in public service, none of us get where we are alone. We are a collection of those who have come before us, those we have met along the way, and the anticipation of those who will inevitably come after us. Many, maybe one of those

[00:14:20] students that are walking the halls today will stand before you as a new County Administrator. Just like my predecessors, I am committed to serving each resident to the best of my ability, no matter which of the five magisterial districts they call home. I will do so by listening, learning, and collaborating with those who know the processes and systems best. We continue to invest in what residents want, need, and use the most. I encourage residents to continue to be engaged so that we may be as responsive as possible as government.

[00:14:55] Like Field of Dreams, if you build it, they will come. Together with the Board of Supervisors, dedicated county employees, community partners, and above all, the residents, I am confident we will build on our strengths and meet the future needs of our diverse, growing community.

[00:15:11] My responsibility is to ensure that Chesterfield has the support and resources necessary to continue to build on that strong foundation. If you have a question, ask me. If you are concerned, voice it. If you are happy with your experience as a resident, let us know what's working.

[00:15:30] I have spent my career in public service. I have overseen budgets, expanded economic development opportunities, strengthened local relationships, and built new partnerships that bettered my community. And when I look back at my years of service, I don't see roles in columns. I see people.

[00:15:47] A role of this caliber is not one of status, but stewardship and presence. Today, I take this oath with humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility. I am honored by the trust that has been placed in me, and I am committed to serving with respect, integrity, and curiosity.

[00:16:05] I am your new county administrator, but I am also a fellow Chesterfield employee, resident, and neighbor in the community. I am so thankful to be here and looking forward to getting to work. Let's get it done. Thank you.

[00:16:38] There we go. Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes our ceremony. I do want to invite everybody to room 502 in the county administration building for a reception.

[00:16:54] We're going to catch a few photos here, and then we'll meet you upstairs. Thank you.

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