Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo is winding down her term in office, after losing her re-election bid in November to Adam Bello. In a one-on-one with Spectrum News reporter Wendy Wright, she reflected on her service and plans for the future.

"I mean it was my whole heart. This has been the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo. She believes Monroe County is in a better place than when she was first elected in November 2015.

"I'm proud of the record that we were able to provide for the people of this community,” she continued. “And as I look forward, you know, there are all kinds of ways to serve this community."

Dinolfo’s effort to create jobs is among her proudest accomplishments.

"For me, it's foundational,” she said. “And so I look at the opportunity to work, the opportunity to provide for your family, and we really focused on that."

With this door closing, which new doors will open? And will they involve a run for another office?

"I would not expect to see my name on the ballot in 2020,” Dinolfo said. “I'm looking at different types of opportunities, and you know, what the future holds after that."

The county executive has some advice for the next person who will hold this office: Adam Bello.

"I would tell Adam, 'Remember every day that it's really about people. It's people first,” Dinolfo added. “You know people say, 'Oh it's politics.' It's not politics and it's not just government, it’s people and if you put the people first, everything else works out just fine."

And with that, Dinolfo says she will leave with her head held high.

“I’m gonna feel joy because I think we’ve made a difference,” she said.

Dinolfo says she will continue living in Monroe County and plans to do everything she can to be an advocate for the county that she loves.