Robert Bendorf

Robert Bendorf brings a unique understanding and two decades of experience in how to lead and create effective teams, prioritizing collaboration, partnerships, and effective communication, all while not being risk-averse. As the County Administrator, he led Yuba County through a transition to a smaller and better-trained workforce while creating a more professional culture and best-practice organization.

Robert retired as the County Administrator for Yuba County, a position he held for fifteen years, working with numerous elected officials from counties, cities, and special districts. His collaborative approach to culture building and organizational health has produced successful outcomes, bringing together departments, individuals, and accomplished teams. Since his retirement, and through MRG, Robert has worked with cities, special districts, and nineteen counties on topics including leadership, policy development, strategic planning, budgeting, good governance, and coaching and mentoring for county executives.

He began his 35-year public service career with the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department in 1986 and later joined the County Administrator’s office. Robert also has experience serving as a manager and supervisor in the Sheriff’s Department and the Health and Human Services Agency and twenty years of executive management experience as a County Administrator and Assistant County Administrator. Working together with the Yuba County team, they created its first strategic plan, first comprehensive policy and procedure manual, funding of financial reserves and associated policies, developed the first in-house executive training course, supervisory development course, and general “employee academy” that promotes teamwork and networking.

In his role as a Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff’s Sergeant, and County Administration, Robert has experience as a first responder and in emergency management, having responded to and coordinated county responses to floods, fires, a pandemic, and mass evacuations. He also has background and personnel investigation experience, complemented from his time as a Detective Sergeant and as an independent investigator.

Robert was appointed to serve on numerous state and local committees and commissions including AB 109, Court Transfers, County – Court Mediations, California State Association of Counties (CSAC)/League of Cities Task Force on Homelessness, Governor Brown’s No Place Like Home Advisory Commission, eight years as a Board member of the CSAC Finance Corporation, fifteen years as an instructor and facilitator for the CSAC Institute for Excellence in County Government and judge for the annual CSAC Challenge Awards.  Robert has been invited to and participated as a panel member for numerous executive-level and management positions for California counties and cities. Robert also received the 2020 CSAC Circle of Service award for substantial service above and beyond the norm to CSAC and its family of counties. He has been a guest speaker for numerous California county professional associations.