County Manager Jason Rubenbauer has resigned.
Rubenbauer confirmed to The Times last Thursday morning that he will be leaving Nov. 1 to take the job as president and chief executive officer of the Waycross-Ware County Development Authority.
The move came as a surprise to commissioners, who were informed of Rubenbauer’s resignation during a closed session at their October 4 meeting.
Rubenbauer has served as county manager for Pierce County since April, 2017.
“I love Pierce County and I believe I have left it better than I found it,” he said. “I was not looking for a new job, but this opportunity was too good to pass up.”
Rubenbauer said he has always had an interest in economic development and the new job will give him the opportunity to pursue that.
Rubenbauer said he is proud of what has been accomplished in Pierce County during his tenure, including improvements to technology, equipment, road maintenance and road projects. He also helped the county to build a $2.5 million reserve.
“I would like to think I am leaving Pierce County better than I found it,” he said.
County chairman Neal Bennett praised Rubenbauer for the job he did as manager.
“There is no doubt he has moved us forward,” said Bennett. “We hate to see him go, but this opportunity is one he could not turn down.”
Rubenbauer said he will work with Bennett and the county commission to ensure the transition to his successor runs smoothly.
Commissioners placed an ad for the county manager’s position in this week’s edition. (See related story.)
The search for a new manager is likely to begin as early as the commission’s November 1 meeting.
Rubenbauer previously served as the dean of health sciences and professional studies at Bainbridge State College in Bainbridge, prior to coming to Pierce County.
He has also served as director of business and community services and director of continuing education for five years at Coastal Pines Technical College (formerly Okefenokee Technical College) in Waycross and was also the accountant and chief executive officer of Affordable Tax and Accounting LLC, which he founded in 2008.
Rubenbauer holds a master of business administration degree from Liberty University and a bachelor of science in accounting from the University of Phoenix.
