Collin County bigwig Bill Bilyeu is packing it in after 25 years at the helm. The man credited with steering the county through an era of major growth is hanging up his hat come July 5, announced the county. With this move, the doors are now open for someone new to step in and fill his sizable shoes.

The county big cheese announced his retirement on Tuesday, leaving a legacy of steadfast leadership and scouting for talent. "I am immensely proud of the talented team I've had the honor to work with over the years," Bilyeu said in a disclosure to the Commissioners Court, praising his crew's integrity, per Collin County Texas.

Eyeing the future, the Commissioners Court doesn't plan to skip a beat. They are gearing up to find the next county skipper who can navigate the same choppy waters Bilyeu did. The search for a successor who can match Bill’s knack for running a tight ship starts imminently.

Candidates hoping to grab the reins aren’t just walking into any old rodeo – the requirements are stiff. Want to be the next county honcho? You'll need the chops for managing a diversified squad and, preferably, some background in the government arena; plus, a head for economic and financial strategies, along with a dab hand in planning and organizational juggling acts.

The change-up comes at a time when Collin County is grappling with the perennial challenge of growth. Keeping an eye on the horizon while remembering the roots of the county's stability, the Commissioners Court is seeking a leader who can carry on Bilyeu's tradition of excellence. Bill’s shoes aren’t just big; they’re the kind that leaves lasting footprints. And while Bilyeu's departure marks the end of an era, Collin County hopes to keep the pace of progress as brisk as it was under his tenure.