Mayor names Brad Dick as new Chief Operating Officer

• As Group Executive for Services and Infrastructure, Dick has led city beautification efforts, including transformation of city parks and rec centers, thousands of alley clean-ups, commercial corridor blight removal efforts, murals and more
• Replaces Hakim Berry, who led process to stand up and operate city’s mass Covid testing and mass vaccination sites, successfully negotiating all major union contracts and leading city’s effort to land 2024 NFL Draft and 2027 NCAA Final Four

Mayor Mike Duggan today announced he has named Brad Dick as the City’s new Chief Operating Officer, replacing Hakim Berry, who will be returning to his hospital administration roots to lead HR and labor relations for Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor next week.

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 8 years, Dick has played a central role in the Mayor’s “Blight to Beauty" efforts.  As Group Executive for Services and Infrastructure, Dick 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.  He also has overseen the city’s public mural programs, which have placed Detroit among the top mural cities in the nation, as well as maintenance and operations at dozens of city buildings, including all police and fire stations.

Dick replaces Berry, who has served as COO since 2017. During his tenure, Berry led the effort to stand up and operate the city’s regional Covid mass testing site at the State Fairgrounds and its mass vaccination site at TCF Center (now Huntington Place).  Both were considered national models of innovation and effectiveness as communities across the country worked to keep residents protected during the pandemic.

Berry also led negotiations on every major union contract, including police, fire/EMS and bus drivers. Last year, Berry led negotiations for the city on a contract that provided historic raises to Detroit Police officers.

“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 said he is excited to begin his new role and to bring a “can do” approach to it on behalf of residents. 

“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.”

Berry’s last day will be Friday, March 3. Dick, who lives in Detroit’s East English Village neighborhood, will begin his new role as COO on Monday, March 6.