Joseph Duff has more than three decades of experience as a municipal executive. He has been a pillar of professional management in northern Michigan since 1998, serving the City of Gaylord for 20 years. In that time, Gaylord has become a major regional center for both commercial and industrial growth. The community is known for its year-round tourist activities, Swiss Alpine architectural stylings, and its presence as a “Golf Mecca,” with 27 championship golf courses surrounding the community. Although Joe spent a few years managing Archbold, Ohio, we are fortunate he spent the majority of his career in Michigan, where he also managed Mackinaw City and Mattawan.
Duff completed his Master’s degree from the University of Detroit and his Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He is a past board member of our state association and a long-standing member of ICMA. He has received the President’s Award from the Gaylord/Otsego Chamber of Commerce, and even served as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Marshal in Gaylord.
Duff and his wife, Diane, have two daughters, Brynn and Geena. They value their family as one of the most fulfilling and instrumental parts of their lives. They enjoy traveling to Texas and California to see them as much as they can. Duff enjoys the outdoors, cooking, and reading. He always has a book going, usually involving history or politics.
Should you be in northern Michigan on the last Thursday of the month, you are invited to join Duff and the regional MME group for lunch at the Sugar Bowl restaurant.