Mayor Kelly Yaede has selected outgoing councilman David Kenny to serve as business administrator. Kenny will succeed John Ricci, who is retiring at the end of the year.
Kenny, who earlier this year announced that he would not seek re-election to council, was among a short list of potential successors that Yaede considered.
“I am honored to follow in the footsteps of a true professional like John Ricci and am excited and eager to continuing serving under the leadership of Mayor Yaede in this new role,” Kenny said in a statement.
Kenny said he was unaware of Ricci’s plans to retire when he decided to not run for re-election, but he was “instantly interested” in the opportunity to takeover the role.
Ricci, who turned 67 in November, made the decision in early 2017 that he would retire. He has four decades of service in government at state, county and local levels. Ricci served as business administrator on two separate occasions and under three mayors, and was highly regarded across party lines, according to a statement from the mayor’s office.
“I am very proud what Hamilton Township has accomplished over these many years and know that our community will continue forward in the right direction under Mayor Yaede’s leadership and Councilman Kenny’s service in this new role,” Ricci said.
In addition to serving 12 years on the council, Kenny served as a municipal attorney. Outside of his governmental service, Kenny has been a long-time partner in a local law firm.
“The continuity of sound government from my administration shall continue with the appointment of councilman Kenny to business administrator,” Yaede said. “John Ricci has earned bipartisan respect throughout his career. Our entire community owes a debt of gratitude to John Ricci, who has served with honor and distinction. At the same time, we eagerly await councilman Kenny’s service as our incoming business administrator.”
