After more than three decades in the private sector and six years as Bluffton’s engineering director, Bob Fletcher has decided to call it a career.
This time he means it.
Although technically retired at the time, Fletcher was hired by the town about six years ago to manage several high-profile projects then under development, including the new police station and the “tech park” at Buckwalter Place.
“Projects were my forte as it turns out, and most of those projects are done now. And I am 65, so it’s time,” he said in an interview.
In a written statement, town manager Anthony Barrett said Fletcher would be missed.
“His motto of having projects completed ‘on time and on Budget’ resonated well with me and our elected officials who want to get things done,” Barrett said.
“I wish him and his family the very best of what life has to offer in his second retirement.”
Barrett appointed James Ayers, a project manager in the department, as its new director. Fletcher’s last day was May 11.
Fletcher said his time with the town was productive and satisfying.
“What’s truly remarkable, if you can go look at what was in place six years ago versus what the town looks like today, the town has done a remarkable job. I think the town is in great shape,” Fletcher said.
“Having worked in many different places and internationally, I can tell you this a very solid organization we have here.”
During his 32 years with Fluor Corp., Fletcher worked in Asia and South America and helped oversee reconstruction projects in post-invasion Iraq. For much of that time, Fletcher and his family lived in Greenville, although he also lived for several years in China and Singapore.
He now lives on Hilton Head Island.
In retirement, Fletcher said he would tend to his rose garden, catch up on six years’ worth of household projects and spend time with his grandchildren.