Marty Bilek will retire in June as Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert’s chief of staff after serving in that position for eight years over two terms.

Bilek was hired immediately after Stothert won her first mayoral election in 2013 to become the first woman to serve as Omaha mayor.

“Marty has the perfect skill set. He is a negotiator, problem-solver and an advocate for taxpayers,” Stothert said in a statement. “His law enforcement background provided expertise as we developed public safety priorities and strategies. I can’t thank him enough for eight years of dedicated work for the citizens of Omaha.”

Bilek grew up in South Omaha, graduating from Archbishop Ryan High School and the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a degree in computer engineering. Prior to joining Stothert’s staff, Bilek served 38 years with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the last 11 as chief deputy.

“Serving in the administration of Mayor Jean Stothert in the city where I grew up, has been an honor and privilege. She is not only Omaha’s first female mayor, but likely will become the city’s longest serving chief executive,” Bilek said. “As I look forward to spending more time with family and friends, I will always look back fondly upon the time I have had serving the citizens of Omaha.”

Stothert, a Republican, handily defeated Democrat challenger RJ Neary by more than 28,000 votes in the recent Omaha city election on May 11. She will name a new chief of staff, though no timetable was immediately

announced.