By Donald Talonen
On August 28, the City of South Haven announced that Michael Landis will be taking on the role of Assistant City Manager starting September 3. Landis has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Oakland University. He also holds a current State of Michigan S-2 Water Distribution License and has completed the Plante Moran Compliance Supplement and Single Audit Training in 2023. Additionally, he obtained a Geographic Information Systems Basic Operator Certificate in 2019.
Landis has a history of leadership roles in the City of Gibraltar, where he served as the Public Works Director, Assistant City Manager, and City Manager during his tenure. During his time in Gibraltar, Landis secured approximately $3.8 million in grants from various sources, including the State of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
In 2023, Landis was responsible for launching a new building services department at the City of Gibraltar. During the same year, he managed a bond project for the city’s Downtown Development Authority. The project aimed to boost economic development and address the city’s infrastructure needs by establishing a redundant water supply. Before working at the City of Gibraltar, he served as an Office Assistant for Grosse Ile’s Department of Public Works. Also, Landis has previous experience as a Substitute Teacher for Wayne County, MI.
City Manager Kate Hosier stated, “We are fortunate to have Michael join our team. His time at Gibraltar allowed him to work on projects such as their master plan, capital improvement projects, community development, coastal resiliency, DDA projects, bridge replacement, and much more. We look forward to seeing him put that experience to work here in South Haven.”
Landis’s recent appointment as Assistant City Manager heralds a new era for South Haven. His strong leadership and forward-thinking approach are expected to be instrumental in guiding the city toward a future that respects its heritage while embracing progress and transformation.
“This is great news for South Haven,” said Mayor Annie Brown. “As our new assistant city manager, Mr. Landis brings myriad skills in areas like grant writing, housing projects, and bridge and water infrastructure. I look forward to working with him.”
For more information, contact Kim Wise, Human Resources Director by email at kwise@southhavenmi.gov or calling 269-637-0749.
