Rancho Mirage City Manager Randy Bynder announcesretirement

Rancho Mirage City Manager Randy Bynder announces retirement after 32 years with the city.

Bynder informed the city of his intentions to retire today, but let the city council know of his tentative plans back in February.

He began his career with the City of Rancho Mirage as an assistant planner right after graduating from UCLA in 1986. He graduated school on Sunday afternoon and started his first day with the city Monday morning.

Bynder rose the ranks as the city continued its growth, going from assistant planner to associate planner. He would later be promoted to senior planner then planning manager, and then community Development Director in 2006.

Bynder became City Manager in 2012, taking over for the retiring Pat Pratt.

Some of Bynder’s most notable achievements include being part of the city team overseeing the approval of the original Ritz-Carlton Hotel in 1989 and the Leeds Hotel (currently the Westin) in 1990. During his time with the city.

“Under Randy’s leadership, public amenities such as the Dog Park, the Rancho Mirage Community Park, the City’s Amphitheater and the construction of our first-class Observatory were all planned, constructed and opened in a very expeditious and timely manner. This could not have been possible without someone like Randy at the helm,” said Council Member Dana Hobart.

Bynder also supervised the overhaul of the city’s General Plan in 1995 and 2005 and facilitated the planning process for ‘The River,’ Desert European Motors and more than half of the 186 residential neighborhoods in the City.

“I leave the City knowing I have assembled the most talented and competent staff team in the Coachella Valley, who have all contributed to assisting the City Council with making the City of Rancho Mirage one of the best-run cities in the state,” Bynder said.

Bynder’s last day will be May 18.