Sally Hamilton became the city’s first female CAO after having served as Commissioner for the Department of General Services. As Commissioner, she oversaw the divisions of Facilities and Fleet Management, Parks and Recreation, and offices for Security and Mail Services, overseeing operations with 569 employees and over a $35 million budget. Working with the mayor, Hamilton coordinates the activities of all divisions of government and serves as liaison between all commissioners, divisions, council members, boards and commissions and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city.
Prior to coming to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Hamilton had extensive experience in the state government. She served as Executive Director for the Office of Financial Audits where she supervised 62 county and 34 auditors in their work of auditing $27 billion in public funds on an annual basis. She was Chief of Staff and Acting Deputy Secretary of the Education Cabinet and served as Interim Director and Deputy Director of Kentucky Educational Television (KET). Before that, she was Deputy Secretary of the state Finance and Administration Cabinet and served in a variety of positions related to community development and in the Commerce Cabinet.
Hamilton received a bachelor’s degree in German from Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pa.; a master’s degree in German and a Ph.D. in German from the University of Kentucky. She has completed courses toward a master’s degree in public administration at the University of Southern California.
She is on the advisory board of directors for the Charles Young Center and previously served on the Board of Trustees for St. Catharine College and the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television.
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Office of the CAO
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) has direct administrative control and supervision over the divisions of Grants and Special Projects, Risk Management, Computer Services, Government Communications and Enterprise Solutions. In addition, the Commissioners of each department reports to the CAO.
The CAO insures that policies established by the Mayor, Council and Charter are followed, and develops programs to meet current and future organizational and community needs.
CAO Staff