CLAYTON — One of St. Louis County Executive Sam Page’s top staffers, Mike Chapman, is leaving the office to become deputy director at the Housing Authority of St. Louis County.
Chapman has been part of Page’s administration since the county executive took office in April 2019, working as the county’s chief operating officer. Most of the county’s government departments fell under Chapman’s day-to-day leadership, including the jail, municipal court and the health, planning, public works, parks and IT departments.
He held a similar role under former St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, but abruptly resigned with no explanation in April 2016. When the former county executive was indicted on corruption charges, federal charging documents depicted Chapman standing up to Stenger to block the award of a county insurance contract to Stenger donor John Rallo. Stenger described him as a “major pain in the ass.â€
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Michael Chapman, director of operations for the St. Louis County executive, quit earlier this week, a spokesman for the office said.
Chapman has worked for both Democrats like Page and Republicans, including former County Councilwoman Colleen Wasinger and former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt.
Chapman is following another top Page staffer, Shannon Koenig, to the housing authority. Koenig, who had worked in county government since 2013 and in state government before that, took over at the housing authority at the beginning of the year following the retirement of longtime director Susan Rollins.
“I’m excited that Mike will be joining us,†Koenig said in a statement. “His leadership in the county helped to make government run better. I’m confident he’ll make a similar impact here.â€
Since Page took office, the housing authority has taken a central role in Wellston to preserve public housing units there rather than demolishing them, as the federal government initially planned. The housing authority is working closely with private developer BGC Advantage on the project to rehab nearly 200 public housing units.
“Ensuring access to safe, affordable housing options is a priority of my administration as seen in our work in Wellston,†Page said in a statement. “Affordable housing is a priority of the Biden administration as well, and I know Mike will be a great help as the county and the White House focus on quality, affordable housing.â€
Chapman reports to St. Louis County Chief Administrative Officer Deanna Venker, who is expected to assume many of his management duties. His last day is July 16.
He begins at the housing authority Aug. 16 with a $135,000 salary. His salary was $145,000 in the county executive’s office.
“I’m proud of my work with Dr. Page over the last few years,†Chapman said in a statement. “Together with a strong team of department directors, we made county government more customer-centered and tried to restore a sense of duty. It’s hard to leave, but I’m really excited to work with Shannon again. Above all, I’m grateful for an opportunity to continue serving the community.â€