At its August 11, 2025 special meeting, Shaker Heights City Council confirmed Mayor David E. Weiss’ appointment of Matthew P. Carroll as the next Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Clerk of Council for the City of Shaker Heights. Carroll comes to Shaker from Cuyahoga County’s Department of Health and Human Services where he currently serves as senior advisor for strategic initiatives.
He replaces Jeri Chaikin, who is retiring in late September after more than 24 years of service as CAO. His appointment takes effect on September 3.
“As a long-time, dedicated public servant, with leadership experiences in many facets of city and county government, Matt possesses the executive and administrative training, experience, and judgement needed to oversee the day-to-day operations of Shaker Heights city government,” Weiss said. “Matt’s knowledge of and long ties to the Shaker community will enable him to meet the high level of service our residents have come to expect.”
Carroll will report to the mayor. As Clerk of Council, he will oversee the development of City Council agendas and other meeting materials and report regularly to the mayor and City Council about progress with City initiatives. He will lead a management team of professionals representing 12 departments as diverse as finance, recreation, public works, public safety and economic development. He will be instrumental in the preparation of the City’s annual budget of some $64 million.
“I’m grateful to Mayor Weiss and the Shaker Heights City Council for this appointment to serve the city,” Carroll said. “I recognize the excellence and high standards established by Jeri Chaikin in this role and will do my best to earn this opportunity. As a proud parent of two recent Shaker Heights High School graduates, I see all that Shaker has to offer as a community and I hope to add value wherever I can. I am truly honored to serve in this position.”
Carroll’s tenure in county government includes four years as chief of staff to a prior county executive; seven years as chief economic growth and opportunity officer overseeing the departments of Economic Development, Human Services, Public Works and Sustainability; and three years as manager of administrative operations for the county’s Department of Health and Nutrion. He also served nine years as director of the City of Cleveland’s Department of Public Health. Carroll taught a course on poverty, titled “Distressed People, Distressed Places,” to undergraduate and graduate students in Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs and Education.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Among many professional and non-profit affiliations, Carroll is the current County representative to the boards of Say Yes to Education, Global Cleveland, and the Cuyahoga Workforce Funders Group. Carroll and his wife, Laura Kleinman, raised their sons in the Shaker Heights City School District, where they lived for 19 years.