Detroit Evening Report: Detroit Mayor Duggan names Brad Dick as city’s new chief operating officer

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced the appointment of Brad Dick as the city’s new chief operating officer.

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Dick succeeds Hakim Berry, who is returning to his hospital administration roots.

In his new role, Dick will oversee multiple city departments, including the Department of Public Works, General Services Department, Water & Sewerage Department, Demolition Department, Municipal Parking, Detroit Building Authority and more.

Over the past eight years, Dick has played a central role in Duggan’s “Blight to Beauty” efforts. He led the revitalization of more than 150 city parks and multiple recreation centers, the effort to clear more than 2,000 overgrown alleys, and the city’s new commercial corridor cleanup effort.  Dick was responsible for overseeing the city’s public mural programs, which have placed Detroit among the top mural cities in the nation.

“Normally, replacing someone like Hakim would be a challenge. He has been central to so many of the major accomplishments of this administration and his contributions continue to be felt every day by Detroiters,” Duggan said. “Fortunately, we have an equally talented administrator on our team in Brad Dick, who has improved every service he’s ever touched and has been transformational in his leadership. I know he will do a great job as our new COO.”

Dick will continue to lead Detroit’s beautification efforts as COO.

“These departments all provide services that are very important to city residents, and my motto has been that there is always a way to get something done,” Dick said. “I find if you focus on a solution instead of an obstacle, you really can get anything done and that’s the approach I plan to take to providing these services and continuing the beautification of our city.”

Dick’s prior experience also includes the maintenance and operations of dozens of city buildings, including all police and fire stations.

Other headlines for March 6, 2023:

• Detroit Mayor Duggan to make State of the City address at Michigan Central Station tomorrow
• Landscaping to begin at Joe Louis Greenway section
• Wright Museum hosting Academy Award-winning “Black Panther” costume designer Ruth E. Carter

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