Canton, Michigan Human Resources Manager Retires

Dave Medley, Canton’s longtime human resources manager, has decided to retire. His retirement will take effect on December 29, which will end his 21-year career working for Canton, helping to build a township workforce that Michigan officials tout as the best in the state.

“One of the most important decisions that’s ever made by any organization, including Canton Township, is that when you hire someone, you have to make sure they are the right fit,” Supervisor Phil LaJoy said. “Dave has done a tremendous job at that.”

Medley is retiring at the young age of 63, leaving a 350-member workforce in Canton that he helped build over the past 21 years. During his tenure as human resources manager, Medley was able to watch employees he has hired climb through the city ranks en route to becoming supervisors. Medley helped to negotiate concessions in worker contracts during a tough economy. Medley has also played an integral part in comforting and informing the survivors of Canton employees, informing them of the death benefits they would be receiving.

“The pluses far outweigh the bad,” Medley said.

Medley was raised in Jackson, a town that saw him involved in the community for quite some time, coaching youth sports while advancing from a prison guard position to court referee to human resources. His first human resources position came with the Jackson County Probate Court’s juvenile division.

April 1990 saw Medley move his career to Canton, where he would remain until his retirement. He began as a human resources specialist and within a couple of years was the human resources manager.

“He has done a great job for us,” township Trustee John Anthony said.

Upon being hired in Canton, Medley moved to the city, enabling him to watch the improvement of the town from the inside. The town grew from a farmland to a bustling town right before his very eyes. The boom years slowed as the economic recession hit the country hard. The full-time employment numbers used to stand at 400, but the workforce has fallen to 350 ever since the recession hit.

“I always had pride that I knew where the labor force came from,” Medley said. “I tried to recruit the best people, and I got to watch them grow. It’s like being the proud parent or coach.”

One job Medley will keep during retirement is head coach of the Salem High School girls’ lacrosse team. Back in 2006, Medley was a major force in the creation of the Plymouth/Canton/Salem United Girls’ Lacrosse Team. Plenty of his players have moved onto the collegiate level.

“It has been very rewarding,” Medley said.

Medley is planning to spend plenty of time with his wife of 24 years, Jeanne, their four daughters and their five grandchildren during his retirement years. Medley is also looking forward to volunteering with senior citizens, showing them how to get the best options out of Medicare.

“I’m very attached to a lot of the people here,” he said. “We have a great staff. It’s difficult (to leave), but no one is irreplaceable, and we all have to move on. I’m moving on to a different portion of my life. It’s time.”