June 27, 2008

County executive Pete Kutras announces retirement

Kutras ends 39-year public service career at the top

County Executive Pete Kutras has announced his retirement, effective Nov-ember. His last work day will be Friday, October 31, 2008.

County Executive Pete Kutras

“It has been my honor and privilege to work for the past 35 years with the men and women of this organization who produce miracles every day making a difference in our community and the lives of our residents,” said Kutras. “After finishing military service and enrolling in San Jose State University, I had the good fortune to be hired by the County. That was the start of challenges and opportunities that have added a rich and irreplaceable texture to my life. But it is now time to pass the mantle of leadership to others.”

The most recent opportunity came when the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors appointed Kutras to the top spot as County Executive in August of 2003, after he served as Interim County Executive for four months. The County Executive oversees the nearly 15,000 county employees in 29 departments / agencies. Santa Clara County with a population of approximate 1.8 million is the sixth largest of 58 California counties and the 17th largest of the over 3,100 counties in the United States.

“As Chair of the Board, I respect and fully support Pete’s decision to retire,” said Supervisor Pete McHugh. “I am also grateful for his dedicated service to our county and country. Pete is a person of principle and he will be missed.”

“My approach has been to think strategically about how to address the myriad of complex issues,” Kutras remarked. “My goal has been to support the Board in its efforts to continue delivering services to those who need them. We have reduced departmental budgets, instituted hiring freezes and early retirements, used reserves and one-time funds, implemented fee increases and changed financial policies to keep the doors of clinics open and provide support to folks trying to get on their feet.”.

“Thirty-five years of institutional memory and having served in so many different roles has made Pete an invaluable leader of our county,” said Supervisor Liz Kniss. “Few know what it takes to oversee 15,000 employees, a $4 billion budget and thousands of acres of land, including 643 miles of rural and urban roadways in unincorporated areas and 62 miles of expressway. From fire, to health, to libraries and parks, Santa Clara County is a responsibility that Kutras has handled with skill, expertise and a caring heart.”

A Morgan Hill resident, Kutras holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, with a concentration in Public Administration, from San Jose State Universi-ty. He also has completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University. Kutras served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1971 with overseas duty in Vietnam and Ethiopia. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal, both for meritorious achievement.

“I’ll be a part of this community for a long time, “said Kutras. “My wife Geri, my children and grandchildren are all here. This is where my heart is.”