Notably, she became the youngest administrator in Michigan to fulfill her current role, a testament to her capabilities and the trust placed in her by the board.
INTERLOCHEN, MI, December 04, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — Katelyn Zeits has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Drawing on 15 years of experience in municipal government, Ms. Zeits has established herself as a prominent figure in her field. Since 2021, she has served as the county administrator and controller for Benzie County, Michigan, a world-class county known for its natural resources, parks, and agricultural experiences. Since stepping into this role, she has excelled in her management of county operations, including budget oversight, facilitation of approved policies and procedures, technology upgrades, and community engagement. In addition to day-to-day operations, she also oversees large-scale county projects.
Ms. Zeits began her career as a student intern with the city of Newaygo in 2010 before advancing to an administrative assistant position within the same municipality later that year. In 2011, she joined the city of Traverse City as an administrative specialist, where she honed her skills until 2014. Her dedication and competence led to her promotion to deputy city clerk in Traverse City, a role she held until 2021.
In 2021, Ms. Zeits transitioned to Benzie County as the human resource and finance director before being appointed as county administrator after just five months. Her hard work and commitment culminated in her current position as county administrator and controller in 2024. Notably, she became the youngest administrator in Michigan to fulfill this role, a testament to her capabilities and the trust placed in her by the board. In recognition of her impact on local governance, she was named one of the Most Influential Women of Northern Michigan by Record-Eagle in 2023.
Ms. Zeits’s educational background has been instrumental in her career achievements. She earned a Master of Public Administration in local government management for sustainable communities from Walden University in 2012 and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ferris State University in 2010. She has held municipal clerk certifications from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, and an election official accreditation program certificate from the State of Michigan Bureau of Elections.
Additionally, she has held Michigan certified professional treasurer from the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association, and a master citizen planner from Michigan State University Extension. She holds a certification in women’s municipal leadership from Michigan Municipal League LLC.
Ms. Zeits’s dedication to public service is deeply rooted in her upbringing; her mother was a local government servant while her father was a farmer. This familial influence inspired Ms. Zeits to pursue a career in local government alongside her siblings. Her success is attributed to the support and inspiration from her family and a strong network of colleagues and peers.
As a commitment to her profession, Ms. Zeits is a member of several industry-related organizations. These include the International City/County Management Association, the National Association of County Administrators, the National Association of Counties, and the Michigan Association of County Administrative Officers.
Outside of her professional life, Ms. Zeits is devoted to her family, enjoying time with her three sons and riding horses. Looking ahead she aims to modernize local government in Benzie County by embracing tourism and focusing on economic development to expand county services. She also aspires to grow personally in her career with ambitions to become a top employer in the region.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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