Sterling Heights has officially announced Haley N. Bradley as its Assistant City Manager, slated to start guiding the city's administrative functions on March 31, all after a thorough search conducted by the Michigan Municipal League. The city's proclamation came with nods to Bradley's notable track record in public service, highlighted by significant skills in managing municipal funding and administration. City Manager Mark Vanderpool emphasized that "Haley’s extensive experience in funding critical municipal projects coupled with her proven administrative expertise make her an outstanding choice for this position," acknowledging the varying interests she will be balancing to further the city's goals according to the city's announcement.
In Bradley's new capacity, she will not only oversee departments such as City Development, Community Relations, Parks and Recreation, and the Sterling Heights Public Library, but she will also be spearheading strategic leadership in citywide initiatives and programs, pushing the envelope on the city's already-thriving public service record. Her background includes over a decade in public service, starting with the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority in 2014 and seeing her quick ascent in Albion, where her efforts securing grant funding and overseeing economic development did not go unnoticed.
Bradley's impact as interim city manager of Albion during the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic era cannot be understated. She led the city with decisive public health measures and also secured four collective bargaining agreements, a feat that subsequently saw her take over the city manager role permanently in March 2021. Not resting on her laurels, she leveraged Albion's attributes, obtaining a whopping $30 million in infrastructure grants and a $4 million private donation earmarked for municipal park improvements.
With a master’s in public administration from Western Michigan University under her belt, Bradley also holds a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University, her voice adds weight in spaces like the Michigan Municipal Executives and Michigan Municipal League's Women in Municipal Government and 16/50 programs, placing her perfectly within the framework of individuals championing progress in municipal governance. In embracing her new adventure, Bradley stated, as per the City of Sterling Heights, "Thank you to the mayor, city council and city manager for entrusting me to serve in this role,” said Bradley. “I am excited to embark on this new journey with the city of Sterling Heights. It’s a vibrant community with a strong sense of place and engaged residents. I look forward to building on those strengths that have made Sterling Heights one of Michigan’s premier cities."
