After 27 Years, Grafton's City Manager Steps Down
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on May 06, 2026
According to WDTV, the Grafton City Manager submitted his resignation during the city council meeting Tuesday, May 5.
Kevin Stead has served as the city manager of Grafton for nearly 27 years. When he was hired in 1999, he was the youngest city manager in West Virginia. Now, he is the longest-serving, active city manager in the state.
In a post on Facebook, Stead thanked the citizens of Grafton for giving him the chance to work for such a wonderful community. He also thanked many city employees and council members for working alongside him.
“Witnessing the youth of our community during the Spirit of Grafton or Light Up Night was always a special time for me, and all the work that goes into each event was always worth the time and effort to make Grafton shine,” the post reads.
Stead is a 1990 graduate of Grafton High School, a 1995 graduate of Fairmont State University with a bachelor’s in business administration & marketing, and a 1999 graduate of West Virginia University with a master’s in public administration. He is also a member of the West Virginia City Manager’s Association.
A special meeting of Grafton City Council has been scheduled for May 8th at 7 a.m. for the council to formally accept his resignation and appoint an Acting City Manager.
When I was hired in 1999 I was the youngest City Manager in the state at the time. Now I am the longest serving active City Manager in the state.
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