OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jan. 7, 2026) – The top of Ottawa County’s operational leadership team is nearly in place.
On Wednesday, County Administrator Patrick Waterman announced that Brian Dissette is his pick to be the Deputy County Administrator, coming to the Fillmore Street Complex from Berrien County, where he had served as its administrator for the past five years. Dissette, who was chosen from a pool of 54 applicants, has spent 12 years as South Haven’s City Manager, and also had a four-year stint as Watervliet’s City Manager.
The appointment ends nearly two years of perceived turbulence in Ottawa County government operational leadership, stemming from the dismissal of John Gibbs as Administrator on February 29, 2024. Jon Anderson was named interim administrator shortly thereafter, but he stepped down nearly six months later, and Gary Rosema was coaxed out of retirement as Sheriff to handle the duties at the beginning of 2025.
Waterman, who had been deputy administrator under Gibbs before resigning in 2023, was appointed administrator in a split board vote last September, with Rosema agreeing to stay on as his deputy until a full-time replacement was named.
A contract with Dissette, which would confirm his appointment, is expected to be finalized in time for the January 27th Ottawa County Board meeting, with his first day on the job tentatively slated for February 2nd.
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