Bill Henderson has served the last 3½ years on the Rye City Council and is running for Mayor on the All in for Rye ticket.
Bill grew up in Monmouth County, NJ, in a town called Colts Neck. He is from a large family, one of 7 children and 45 first cousins. While his Dad had a career on Wall Street and his Mother was a stay-at-home Mom, both were actively involved in many charitable causes and instilled in their children that success in life is measured by how you serve others.
It was with this foundation that Bill graduated from Fairfield University and Georgetown University Law School. After law school while living in Washington, DC, Bill met Elizabeth “Beth” Parker from Richmond, Virginia.
For the last 31 years, Bill and Beth have made Rye their home. They raised their two sons, Forrest and Thomas, who attended the Rye public schools, involved themselves in the community and made lifelong friends in Rye. Bill and Beth were both involved in their kids’ sports teams, including the Rye Little League and Babe Ruth baseball and Rye High squash, golf and baseball teams. They have been members of the Apawamis Club for 26 years, where Bill served six years on the Board of Governors, two years as President, and on the Board of the Apawamis Foundation. Bill also served on the RCSD Board of Education Audit Committee and is currently a driver in the Rye / Port Chester Meals on Wheels program.
As a CPA and an attorney, Bill has had a very successful professional career, including serving 6 years as a federal prosecutor, where he prosecuted white collar criminals, and as a partner in the forensic accounting group of a Big Four accounting firm, where he provided advice to large and global companies on issues of corporate governance, investigated potential corporate malfeasance and helped companies fix problems and operate more effectively. Bill has advised senior company officials and boards of directors and understands what is required to be an engaged and effective leader.
Bill served on the City Council the last 3½ years with his term up at the end of the year. During his time on the Council, Bill has been a model councilperson, a champion of open and civil debate, bi-partisanship and common sense decision-making. Early in his term, Bill stood up against the ethical lapses and unfortunate conduct of some of his colleagues in suing the City. He later drafted and pushed through rules to make the Council function in a more civil and effective manner. Bill was one of the principal drafters of our current Leaf Blower and Rock Chipping Laws. Bill championed the fight for fairness for all Rye residents regarding fees at the Rye Golf Club and help broker the deal that supported the City accepting $3 million in citizen donations to rebuild Nursery Field. Bill has opposed what he considers excessive Council action against citizens involving private property rights (The Tree Law) and getting involved in citizens’ electricity bills (Westchester Power). Bill has served as Council liaison to the Conservation Commission (CCAC) and the Sustainability Committee and on the Board of Directors of the Port Chester — Rye — Rye Brook EMS.
Throughout his tenure Bill has worked with Republicans and Democrats to do what is right for the City of Rye. Bill is running for Mayor because he wants to continue to give back and because he believes after 3½ years on the City Council, he is best positioned to lead the City Council for the next four years.
Bill is All in for Rye.