Mayor Stone Announces Key Appointments
Warren, MI (Jan. 24, 2024) – Warren Mayor Lori M. Stone announced her first round of department head appointments. The following appointments take effect immediately:
Kristina Lodovisi – Chief of Staff, Mayor’s Office
Rhonda Hawe – Community Outreach Director, Mayor’s Office
Judith Smith – Administrative Coordinator, Mayor’s Office
David Muzzarelli – Building & Grounds Superintendent
Richard Fox – City Controller
Mark Knapp – Assistant City Controller
Marilyn Warren – Benefits Administrator
Tina Gapshes – City Engineer
Clarissa Cayton – Communications Director
Charles Rushton – Deputy Police Commissioner
Matthew Dillenbeck – Police Captain of Patrol Services Bureau
Joseph Kovalcik – Waste Water Specialist
Please see the following bios on Mayor Stone’s appointments:
Kristina Lodovisi – Chief of Staff, Mayor’s Office
Kristina was honorably discharged from the Michigan Army National Guard as a Military Police Sergeant. She earned her AAS in General Business from Macomb Community College in 2001 and her BS in Business Management from Baker College. She has been a full-time mom, a PTO member, a Girl Scout leader, and served in leadership roles in a variety of community organizations. A resident of 10 years, Kristina has made Warren her home to raise her family.
Rhonda Hawe – Community Outreach Director, Mayor’s Office
Rhonda Hawe is a lifelong resident of Warren. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University and received her Master’s from Marygrove College. She taught for Fitzgerald Public Schools for 26 years. During her career, she served as a Girl Scout Leader, was District Process Champion in CKH, and earned Teacher of the Year three times.
Judith Smith – Administrative Coordinator, Mayor’s Office
Born and raised in Warren, Judith is an alumna of Warren Consolidated Schools and Western Michigan University. She has over ten years of office and administrative experience working in Chicago, New York City, and metro Detroit, before returning home to Warren.
David Muzzarelli – Building & Grounds Superintendent
Starting his nearly 30-year career at the City of Warren in the Sanitation department, Mr. Muzzarelli has spent the last four years as the Building Maintenance Superintendent. The majority of his time as an elected union officer, developing strong leadership skills and the confidence of his colleagues. Mr. Muzzarelli is thankful to have been able to volunteer for many metro Detroit nonprofits while also pursuing many creative interests.
Richard Fox – City Controller
Richard Fox has been the City Controller for just over 4-1/4 years. His previous employment with the City of Warren spanned 31 years, with 23-1/2 years as City Controller from 1985 to 2009. In between, Rick spent a little over three years as City Manager for the City of Oak Park. His almost 39 years of high-level financial management and labor negotiation experience is a valuable asset for the City of Warren. Rick was born and raised in the city of Warren
Mark Knapp – Assistant City Controller
Mark Knapp has been the Assistant City Controller for Warren for the past 2-1/2 years. His work history includes 43 years of municipal accounting experience at various levels of responsibility with five metropolitan Detroit communities. Almost 27 of those years have been with the City of Warren. He has lived in the city of Warren for the past 38 years.
Marilyn Warren – Benefits Administrator
Marilyn Warren has been Warren’s Benefits Administrator for the past 16 years. Marilyn enjoys the challenge of helping people understand insurance and benefits, which allows her to engage with employees as well as retirees. Marilyn is excited to be a part of this new administration.
Tina Gapshes – City Engineer
Tina G. Gapshes, P.E. currently holds the position of City Engineer for the City of Warren. She has been a key member of the Engineering Division since 2013, with a clear emphasis on improving the City’s infrastructure. Tina received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Wayne State University in 1991, and acquired her Professional Engineer’s License in 2006. Tina has over 25 years of municipal engineering experience which has prepared her to take on the duties of City Engineer for the City of Warren. In her role as City Engineer since 2021, Tina has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the city’s infrastructure by managing projects such as road reconstruction, aging water main replacement, and the preservation of existing infrastructure. Tina has made cost-effective decisions concerning the City’s infrastructure with careful consideration of the health, safety, and welfare of Warren residents.
Clarissa Cayton – Communications Director
Clarissa Cayton is the Communications Director for the City of Warren and has been serving in this role for six years. She brings a wealth of broadcasting expertise, having worked in the industry for over 18 years. She holds a B.S. degree from Tennessee State University. Prior to joining Warren, she was the Cable Director for the City of Pontiac, where she oversaw all aspects of production, camera operations, producing, video editing, and cable franchise oversight.
Charles Rushton – Deputy Police Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner Charles Rushton has been with the Warren Police Department since August 1999. Deputy Commissioner Rushton received an Associate degree in Criminal Justice from Macomb Community College. He is a graduate of Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command. Deputy Commissioner Rushton has worked as a Patrol Officer, Community Policing Officer, Field Training Officer, Undercover Officer in the Special Investigation Unit, Detective Corporal in the Special Victims Division, Criminal Investigations Division, Special Operations and Special Investigations Division, a Patrol Sergeant, and Executive Lieutenant of the patrol division before being appointed to Captain of the Patrol Bureau. Deputy Commissioner Rushton currently oversees the day-to-day operations of the police department. Captain Rushton has also served as the Commander of the Crisis Negotiations Unit.
Matthew Dillenbeck – Police Captain of Patrol Services Bureau
Captain Matthew Dillenbeck joined the Warren Police Department in 2003. Captain Dillenbeck earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University and previously served in the United States Army and the Detroit Police Department. Captain Dillenbeck has worked as a Patrol Officer; Criminal Investigation Detective/ Corporal, Special Investigation Division Detective/Corporal, Road Patrol Sergeant and Lieutenant, Special Response Team Operator/Entry Team Sergeant and Special Response Team Commander, Sergeant of the Special Operations Unit, Lieutenant of the Special Investigations Division and is currently the Captain of the Patrol Division.
Joseph Kovalcik – Waste Water Specialist
Joseph Kovalcik has worked in the wastewater treatment industry for the last 37 years, 26 as a Wastewater Specialist at the City of Warren Water Recovery Facility. Kovalcik holds a State of Michigan Department of EGLE Sewage Treatment Works Operators A, B, C, D certification, and has been a Class A Operator for the last 31 years. He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Climate Control Technology from Macomb Community College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and a Master of Science in Operations Management from Lawrence Technological University.
