FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Long-serving Middlesex County Chief Administrative Officer Announces Retirement
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, April 1, 2025 – After an illustrious career spanning over 26 years, Middlesex County Chief Administrative Officer William (Bill) Rayburn announced his retirement from the County on March 31, 2025. His remarkable journey in public administration has been marked by unwavering commitment, exceptional leadership and numerous achievements.
“The timing of my retirement decision feels right as everything is perfectly aligned for Middlesex County. Thanks to the hard work of the very best senior management team in Ontario, we are not only in an incredibly strong financial position, we also have the team required to carry on the legacy of success we have built in Middlesex for a generation to come,” said Mr. Rayburn. “I am incredibly grateful to all the Past Wardens and members of Council I have had the pleasure of working with, for their friendship and the life lessons that each have taught me.”
At 23 years old, Mr. Rayburn began his career in public service as a local municipal CAO. Joining the County in 1998, he is the longest-serving CAO in Middlesex County’s history. During his more than 26 years at the helm of the organization, Mr. Rayburn shepherded the County through several significant projects and challenges, including the creation and expansion of a number of shared services. Under his leadership, local municipalities were supported by County-led services such as planning, IT, and legal, dramatically reducing duplication, lowering costs, and improving access to specialized support for all communities. Mr. Rayburn also played a critical role in protecting and strengthening services during an era of government consolidation. Rather than allow services to be pulled away from rural communities, he led the charge to expand and evolve Middlesex County’s libraries into full-service centres that house County, Provincial and Federal service access points.
“On behalf of Middlesex County Council and staff, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Bill for his extraordinary leadership, vision and commitment over the past 26 years. His legacy is one of progress, innovation, collaboration and fiscal prudence. Thanks to the strong team he helped build, the County is well-positioned for continued success. On a personal note, working alongside Bill has been an incredible privilege. His wisdom, mentorship and steady presence have left a lasting impression. We thank him and we wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement from Middlesex County,” said Warden Brian Ropp.
A national search for the next County CAO will begin immediately to ensure a seamless transition and continued excellence in leadership for Middlesex County.
Quotes:
“It has been an absolute honour to be the CAO for the best County in Ontario. My journey at Middlesex was built on the foundation of wanting to create a future Middlesex that my children Aidan and Karina would be incredibly proud of, while at the same time providing the supports necessary to support all of our current residents like my mother, Joan. When I started my career my father told me to ‘go to work every day like you are trying to earn the job’ – I like to think I did just that. I would like to thank my family for their strength, support and inspiration.” – William Rayburn
“I am extremely proud to say that I led the County Council that hired Bill all those years ago. Throughout his career, he has rewarded the faith that the 1998 Council placed in him with incredible leadership, hard work, timely and strategic decisions, and an overall passion for serving the residents of Middlesex County.” – Dave McDonald, Warden 1998
“I had the pleasure of working with Bill for three terms as County Warden. I could not have asked for a better teammate as he consistently drove Council’s vision forward and skillfully executed the implementation. We have all benefited from his ability to manage both the out and up of County politics, while at the same time guiding all of the complicated county businesses. I went into my time working with Bill knowing I was going to have an amazing CAO and at the end of those three years as Warden I had an amazing lifelong friend and trusted advisor as well.” – Cathy Burghardt-Jesson, Warden 2020, 2021, 2023
“Bill has excelled at the vortex of business and politics for 30 years in this region. He has done so by remaining authentic to the principles of trust, fairness, and hard work that he brought with him from Northern Ontario. We didn’t agree on every issue, but even on those rare occasions we did not, I respected and trusted his well-researched and thoughtful views. From day one, he was committed to leading and advocating for achieving the very best outcomes for Middlesex-London, and he exceeded every expectation as he achieved those goals.” – Ian Brebner, Warden 2004
“Bill embodies every quality a Council and resident expects from a CAO. He has provided Middlesex County with his well thought out guidance, wisdom, and mentorship. He has built lifelong friendships and a solid foundation of trust and has utilized that foundation to position the County to come out on top. Bill has been loyal to Middlesex so much so he has been the County’s guiding light for over three quarters of my life. His physical shoes may be small, but they have and will leave a large impression on County lives for generations to come.” – Kurtis Smith, Warden 2019
“In a partisan world of politics, Bill managed to avoid partisanship and work with everyone to achieve the goals of County Council and to benefit the residents of Middlesex-London. He managed this feat while keeping and displaying an amazing sense of humour. For 26 years he skillfully led an incredibly challenging portfolio of large and diverse business areas at the county that required balancing urban and rural needs as well as managing across multiple competing political boundaries. The fact that he was able to keep his sense of humour and become one of the most celebrated CAOs in Ontario history is in itself an accomplishment that should be celebrated.” – Crispin Colvin, Warden 2000
“I am proud to say that I was part of the team that brought Bill to Middlesex. From his first step into the Council chamber until now, hiring Bill has paid incredible dividends for Middlesex. Many will point to Bill’s incredible accomplishments when they think back on his career, and rightly so. However, when I think about working with Bill the first thing that pops to mind is all the fun we had. So many great moments, laughs, and amazing memories are what make Bill’s contribution to my life and my time as Warden beyond memorable. It was an honour to work with him and to call him a friend for life.” – Jim Maudsley, Warden 2009, 2012, 2016
“I think every Warden is a little nervous when they are elected to such an important position. However, Bill’s calm and steady leadership makes the experience simply incredible. He is always there for me no matter what the challenge, to this day. I am very thankful that I was part of his career journey and that I had the opportunity to see first-hand all that he has done for Middlesex County.” – Marigay Wilkins, Warden 2018
“I really enjoyed my time working with Bill. He always amazed me with his quick grasp of a situation and his enormous knowledge about the county. Middlesex County owes a lot to his dedication and passion. He created an incredible, diverse and multi-generational management team that is successful because of their mutual respect and admiration. Councillors always felt respected and supported and knew that Bill was a great resource. Middlesex County is a better place today because of Bill’s commitment and foresight. I wish him all the best in his retirement. It’s well deserved.” – Alison Warwick, Warden 2022
“When Bill arrived, he brought with him a clear vision for the team he wanted to build in Middlesex and a well-considered plan for keeping the team engaged. Many of us have worked alongside Bill for more than two decades. What I appreciate most is the trust and responsibility he placed in his team, including myself. Through his guidance and encouragement, he empowered us, helping each of us grow and excel. Bill’s tremendous passion for the County of Middlesex has left a lasting impact on both current and former employees.” – Durk Vanderwerff, Director of Planning and Development, Middlesex County
“I was grateful that I received a congratulatory call from Bill on my first day in my new role as CAO of Huron County. Since that day, Bill has become an invaluable friend, mentor and support system. His knowledge of County government built on years of experience certainly assisted many in our industry, but I will look back at his ability to think through and problem solve challenging political and administrative issues as his true superpower.” – Meighan Wark, CAO Huron County
“Throughout his tenure, Bill has been a steadfast partner in maintaining a collaborative and respectful relationship with the union. His commitment to open communication and fair negotiations has ensured a positive working environment for all County employees. Bill’s leadership and genuine concern for the well-being of the workforce have been instrumental in fostering trust and mutual respect. It has been an honour to work with someone who truly values the contributions of every team member, and his legacy will be felt for years to come.” – Steve Holland, CUPE Local 101 President
Career Highlights:
- Youngest Municipal CAO in Ontario history (23 years old)
- Youngest County CAO in Ontario history (27 years old)
- Longest-serving Middlesex County CAO (over 26 years)
- 30 years as a Municipal CAO
- Youngest Chair of a public Pension Fund in North America, OMERS (32 years old)
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Middlesex County is an innovative, well-run organization offering high-value programs and services to the best community in which to live, visit, and do business in Southwestern Ontario. The County serves a vibrant, growing community of 81,700 people and offers a great place to call home, offering exceptional lifestyle, a wide variety of local attractions, and wonderful sense of community.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Middlesex County Media Relations
Legislative Services Division
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