CDC looking for new chief
The Butler County Community Development Corporation is searching for a new executive director.
Ken Raybuck, who has served as executive director since 2010, plans to retire at the end of June.
Raybuck said he has had a retirement date in mind for a couple of years and gave the board of directors plenty of notice so they could hire a new director and ensure a smooth transition.
“We will have ample time to transition. It’s a good opportunity for someone to take the reins and work with me during the transition period,” he said.
The CDC is now accepting applicants for the position.
It is the lead economic development organization in Butler County, as designated by the county commissioners.
It “proactively creates an environment for private industry to create and retain jobs through our coordination of leaders from local business, municipal, county and other elected officials and organizations at all levels of government,” according to its website.
Raybuck, who lives in Butler Township with his wife Karen, worked in the banking industry for about 30 years before taking the job as director at the CDC. He also was involved with the group’s board of directors going back to 1996, including spending time as its president.
Raybuck said that during his time as director he oversaw an increase in membership — from about 100 to more than 140 members — and the CDC was able to pay down some debt and get on better financial footing.
“It’s been excellent working with the board and the members,” he said.
He also continued to work on development of the Pullman Center Business Park Expansion in Butler, a 42-acre property the CDC acquired in 2006, and other properties.
New businesses that the CDC has brought in to the area in recent years by selling some of its properties include Johnstone Supply in Pullman Center Business Park and Hotline Glass, also in Butler.
The CDC also recently worked with Iron Mountain, which has an information management facility in Boyers, helping the company secure a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant from Pennsylvania for an expansion project.
A job description posted to its website lists the responsibilities of the post as: assisting businesses relocate or expand in Butler County, managing real estate owned by the CDC, growing membership, managing an annual budget of more than $1 million and supervising staff.
The CDC has a staff of four people and is located on Hollywood Drive.
Josh Fye, president of the board of directors, said a search committee will be looking for a candidate who can continue the positive work that Raybuck has done.
“Ken has done a wonderful job for the CDC in helping to attract and retain businesses in Butler County. We wish him all the best, but he will be missed by all of the board of directors and the community alike,” Fye said.
A qualified person could come from the public or private sector, he said. Candidates must be familiar with how businesses operate, what state grants are available to businesses and have an understanding of workforce needs and government relations.
