MERIDIAN TWP. — Tim Dempsey, who worked for the city of East Lansing for more than a decade in leadership roles including deputy city manager, is the township’s new manager.
The municipality’s board of directors appointed him during a meeting on Tuesday.
“With decades of experience in municipal management, Tim Dempsey is uniquely qualified to become Meridian Township’s next manager,” township Supervisor Scott Hendrickson said in a statement. “Tim’s background in economic development, workforce management and fiscal prudence give us confidence that he is the best person to lead our township forward.
“We believe Tim will create a great environment for both staff and residents to live, work and play.”
A contract is being negotiated and will be discussed at a subsequent board meeting.
Other finalists included Robert Hillard, Charlotte’s city manager, and Tim Schmitt, Meridian Township’s director of planning, construction and development and interim township manager.
Dempsey has twenty years of experience in local government. His years in East Lansing included seven years as deputy city manager. He also served as the city’s director of planning, construction and development and director of planning and community development.
He also previously held leadership positions at Public Sector Consultants and Saginaw Future Inc. and applied to become East Lansing city manager in 2023, when city officials instead selected current East Lansing city manager Robert Belleman.
Dempsey is an active member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association and the International Economic Development Council and previously served as a lecturer in the Department of Geography at Michigan State University, according to the township release.
He has also volunteered for several organizations in the Lansing and Saginaw areas, including Saginaw Rescue Mission, Meals on Wheels and MSU Alternative Spring Breaks.
In April, former Meridian Township Manager Frank Walsh announced his plans to resign, which was unanimously approved by the township board. His resignation came after an investigation that began in 2023 into “Walsh’s actions in his role as Township Manager.”
Details of the investigation, including the nature of the complaints and any findings, remain confidential. In January, the State Journal filed a public records request for financial records and documents related to investigations involving Walsh. The city refused to release them without paying $2,700.
Meridian Township agreed to pay Walsh $160,000 after his resignation through a consultation agreement.
Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@lsj.com or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela.
This article originally appeared in Lansing State Journal: Tim Dempsey named Meridian Township manager
