Who's Who

Larry H. Sherman

City Attorney

Larry H. Sherman has served as the Madison Heights City Attorney since January, 1987. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Harvard College in 1974 and his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Michigan in 1977. He is a Principal in the Law Firm of Sherman and Sherman, P.C.

As City Attorney, Larry is the chief legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager and all Department Heads. He represents the City in most civil and criminal matters. During his career, Larry has performed municipal legal work for the following communities: Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, Walled Lake, Sylvan Lake and Taylor. In addition to municipal law, his practice concentrates on real estate, general civil litigation, and criminal and traffic defense matters. Larry is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Trial Lawyers Association and is licensed to practice law in all State and Federal Courts.
Melissa_Marsh

City Manager

Melissa Marsh, was hired in April 2005 as the Finance Director/Treasurer and was promoted to Director of Administrative Services in March 2006. Melissa served as Human Resource Director and Webmaster as well as overseeing several other departments such as IT, City Clerk's Office, Library and Finance. In July, 2009 she returned to the Finance Director in the capacity of Director of Administrative Services, still overseeing IT, Clerk, Library and Finance.

She was promoted to Assistant City Manager for Administrative Services in 2012, and to Deputy City Manager for Administrative Services in 2013. She was appointed City Manager by City Council in 2018.

Melissa received the Master of Accountancy degree from Walsh College in Troy Michigan in 2004. She also holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Human Resources from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business/Finance from Tusculum College, in Tennessee. Melissa is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Michigan Public Employer Labor Relations Association (MPELRA) and the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association (MGFOA). Prior to coming to Madison Heights, she served as the Finance/Human Resource Director for Harrison Township, Michigan.

Cheryl_Rottmann

City Clerk/Deputy City Manager

Cheryl E Rottmann  was appointed City Clerk in April 2014. Prior to joining Madison Heights, Cheryl was the City Clerk for Berkley, and was formerly Director of Elections for Macomb County. Cheryl holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Wayne State University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan. Cheryl is recognized by the State of Michigan as a Certified Municipal Clerk, and brings nearly twenty years of municipal experience to the City.

Cheryl was appointed City Clerk/Deputy City Manager in 2023.

Brent LeMerise

Police Chief

Chief of Police Brent LeMerise graduated from Macomb Community College with an associate degree in criminal justice and he put himself through the police academy in 2001. After a one-year stint with the Grosse Pointe Woods Department of Public Safety, he joined the Madison Heights Police Department in 2003. During his time at Madison Heights PD, he has held the ranks of Road Patrol Officer, Detective Officer, Road Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, Road Patrol Lieutenant, Deputy Chief, and now Chief. Additionally, he been assigned as a Hostage Negotiator, FTO Supervisor, FTO Commander, and Accreditation Manager.

In his personal time, Chief LeMerise enjoys spending time with his family and keeping healthy. He likes to hike, jog, golf, and play other various sports. He is currently seeking his bachelor’s degree through Ferris State University.

Under the leadership of Chief LeMerise, the department will continue to serve the public, build trust, and remain united with our community.

Timothy L. Germain

City Engineer

Timothy L. Germain, P.E. began his engineering career in 1992 with the firm of Nowak and Fraus Engineers of Royal Oak, Michigan. He has served in the capacity of design engineer, project engineer, project manager, and Assistant City Engineer for the City of Madison Heights since joining Nowak and Fraus. Mr. Germain became a principal in the firm in 2005 and currently serves as a Vice President in charge of Land Development Consulting Services.

With over 14 years of experience in the civil engineering field of public sector consulting and private sector development, Tim's expertise includes the planning, design and administration of residential, commercial, office, retail and industrial developments. Mr. Germain holds both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan. He holds professional engineer licenses in both Michigan and Ohio. Mr. Germain also serves the City of Huntington Woods in the capacity of Consulting City Engineer.
Greg_Lelito

Fire Department

Greg Lelito, was appointed as Fire Chief on January 1, 2012. Fire Chief Greg Lelito has been a member of the Madison Heights Fire Department since 1997. Prior to joining the department, he started his career with the City of Utica in 1991, as a paid-on-call firefighter. In 1996, he was hired as a full-time firefighter with the City of Atlanta, Georgia.


Greg has a Certificate in Fire Science from Macomb Community College. He has his paramedic license, Haz-Mat Technician and Tech Rescue Technician certifications. He is a member of the Oakway Hazardous Material Team, Oakway Tech Rescue Team. Greg was promoted to Sergeant in 2007, and on January 1, 2012 he was promoted to Fire Chief. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University Staff and Command school.

Vanessa Verdun-Morris

Library

Vanessa Verdun-Morris, Library Director, was appointed to the position of Library Director with the City of Madison Heights in March 2022. She received her bachelor's degree in English from Michigan State University in 2000 and her master's degree in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University in 2002. 

 Previous to her appointment in Madison Heights, Verdun-Morris directed Taylor Community Library,  Wayne County Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and River Rouge Public Library. She is a member of the American Library Association and an active participant in the Michigan Library Association, where she chaired the 2016 Annual Conference Committee. She holds a Level 1 Permanent Professional Certificate from the Library of Michigan
 

Amy_Misczak

Human Resources/Purchasing

Amy J. Misczak is the Human Resources Director as well as Purchasing Coordinator. Amy was hired as the City's Personnel Assistant in 1998. She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1991 where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Prior to joining the City, Amy was extensively involved in human resources while working in hotel management. She was promoted to Purchasing and Personnel Coordinator in 2004, and to Human Resources Director in 2010.

Linda Kunath Dept Head

Finance and Treasury

Linda A. Kunath was hired as the City of Madison Heights Finance Director/Treasurer in February, 2019. Prior to joining the Madison Heights team, she was the Finance Director/Treasurer for the City of Mount Clemens, Interim Finance Director/Treasurer for the City of Grosse Pointe Woods, Assistant City Manager/HR Director for the City of St. Clair Shores, and a Senior Accountant for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Linda holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Central Michigan University, a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from Walsh College, and an Associate of Business Administration degree from Macomb Community College. Linda is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and MGFOA.

Sean B

Department of Public Services

Sean P. Ballantine is the Director of Public Services. Sean was hired as a seasonal parks laborer in 2002, and a full-time Equipment Operator I in 2007. He was further promoted to Equipment Operator II in 2012, Analyst/Planner in 2015, Public Works Supervisor in 2021, Deputy Director/Interim Director of Public Services in March of 2023, and appointed to his current position a month later. Prior to the start of his full-time career with the City, Sean was pursuing a career in culinary arts, which remains a favorite hobby.

Sean has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, an S-3 Waterworks System Operator license, and holds a commercial drivers license class B with air brake and tanker endorsements. He has attended multiple multi-day management and public works training seminars, including the Michigan Public Service Institute (years 1 and 2) and the basic and advanced Management and Supervisory Leadership Training Program through the Public Utilities and Waterworks Management Institute. As he moved up through the ranks, Sean has worked in every division of the DPS, physically performing every task the DPS is responsible for.

Sean is a Madison Heights lifer, and has an extremely high level of personal pride in his work and City.