CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A top Chesterfield County official will resign in mid-2026 after decades of public service. Joseph P. Casey, Chesterfield's county administrator, announced that he will be resigning effective July 1, 2026 -- the 10th anniversary of when he took up the role. Casey 's time with Chesterfield began in 1990 as its deputy county manager. He took on his latest role in 2016. His public service career both in and out of Chesterfield spans a total of 37 years, during which he served three Richmond-area localities. As much as he has loved caring for Chesterfield, Casey said that, after so many years of service, it's time to step back and really focus on his family. "The longing I have for time to spend with Suzanne and to be more available for memories with my sons and their plus ones -- plus the role of being a good caretaker son to an aging mother -- has led me to the difficult decision to retire,” he said in a Dec. 9 press release. Dr. Joseph P. Casey, Chesterfield County Administrator. (Photo: Chesterfield County Government) County officials praised Casey's leadership, saying he helped Chesterfield's economy flourish and oversaw meaningful expansions of local infrastructure. Per the release, he also played a key role in attracting significant investments from companies like LEGO and Google. $35M Nash Road Extension project opens in Chesterfield County “Dr. Joe Casey has been an inspirational leader for the last 10 years for Chesterfield County," said Matoaca District Supervisor Kevin Carroll in the release. "No one works harder than Joe at taking Chesterfield forward. He truly cares about the community and understands the importance of improving service and infrastructure to provide the best place to live, work and raise a family. He will be missed.” Though his retirement will not go into effect until July 2026, announcing his intent to resign six months in advance allows the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors ample time to find his successor, according to the release. “Joe's compassion for people and the community is evident in every aspect of his work and leadership style,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Mark Miller in the release. “He hasn’t just done the job; he’s lived it, and Chesterfield is better for it. I wish him the very best as he writes his next chapter, and I’m thankful he will remain a resident in the community he has helped shape in so many ways.” ...read more read less