Hackel names 31-year-old as assistant county executive

To replace outgoing Assistant Executive Melissa Roy, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel has appointed John Paul Rea to serve as the county’s new assistant county executive.
Rea, 31, will oversee all strategic communications and outreach for Macomb County. He currently holds the position of senior planner in the county Planning and Economic Development Department, orchestrating municipal planning services, developing quality-of-life initiatives, and supporting the executive’s office in pursing major community and economic development opportunities.

Roy is taking over as executive director at Advancing Macomb – a nonprofit  group of business and community leaders that is pursuing a philanthropic approach to economic development. Roy, who joined Hackel’s team on Day One in 2011 after spending many years at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, has announced that today is her last day as one of three assistant executives.

Rea, a lifelong resident of Macomb County, has worked in the Planning and Economic Development Department for over nine years.
“John Paul’s experience in planning and economic development, along with his passion for all things Macomb County, will ensure that our residents are well served by his leadership,” Hackel said in a news release.
Rea will officially take his new position on Monday.
“I’m incredibly humbled and thrilled to be given this opportunity to serve the residents of Macomb County,” said Rea. “Throughout my professional career I’ve been dedicated to helping raise the profile of Macomb County. Now working alongside Executive Hackel and his team, we can continue to advocate for all the wonderful things that happen here.”

Hackel played a key role, beginning in July 2012,  in the formation of Advancing Macomb. He asked local  leaders to create an entity that could drive community and economic development that would be modeled after organizations like Detroit Renaissance and Grand Action. The group was formed in June 2013 and has just established an office in Mount Clemens.

“Melissa was an exciting hire and now, an exciting new partner,” Hackel said. “She brought a new perspective to the county that helped modernize our communications, give us a regional and statewide reach and establish quality relationships throughout those communities.”