Monroe County Republican Chairman Bill Reilich has announced he is stepping away from his position to focus on work within the town of Greece.

The town supervisor served the Republican committee for nearly 11 years after being elected by members. 

“I’m thrilled for everything he’s done for our party and the community," said Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo. “I’m very glad he will have that ability to focus on one of the largest towns — certainly the largest town in Monroe County — making sure all the great things he’s done for the town continues there.”

Current Assistant County Executive Bill Napier will leave his position Monday to replace Reilich in a full-time capacity.

“We’ve got a proven track record of success, and what I look to do is spend time here on a full-time basis making sure people are aware of our successes,” Napier said.

As for Reilich, the work still remains.

“Being supervisor of a large town, especially one that in the two of the three years has been involved in a lot of crisis with flooding, windstorms, snowstorms, I enjoy helping people in that capacity. I’m going to continue to do that,” Reilich said.

And he wanted to step down early, ahead of the party’s July organizational meeting that follows June’s state primary, to allow for a smooth transition.

“I wanted to give [Napier] some time to get situated and settled. And as you said, we have a primary coming up and we have a lot of elections in November. I wanted him to have the time to be chair,” Reilich said.

The Monroe County Democrats released a statement following the announcement, saying this bolsters their confidence in Adam Bello becoming the next county executive. But Cheryl Dinolfo isn’t worried this move will affect her re-election bid at all.

“This is one team, we’ve always operated as one team, and you’ll see that going on," Dinolfo said. "So our team, the Republican team and the county of Monroe, is certainly ready and able and will march to victory in November.”

And with experience at both the federal and local levels — including helping with presidential campaigns — Napier is excited to see where his experience can take the party.

“I couldn’t be any happier to be a part of this team," Napier said. "We’re looking forward to bringing forward strategies that are going to prove successful, and we will prevail in November.”