[Madison, WI] The Wisconsin County Highway Association (WCHA), an organization representing Wisconsin’s 72 County Highway and Public Works Departments that manage and maintain the state’s 19,700-mile County Trunk Highway System and the 11,800 miles of State Trunk Highway and Interstate Systems, has appointed Patrick Vander Sanden as their new Executive Director. Patrick joins WCHA after most recently serving as a Statewide Local Program Officer at WisDOT.
“We are pleased to welcome Patrick to WCHA as Executive Director,” said Roland Hawk, Wood County Highway Commissioner and WCHA President. “His knowledge of transportation issues, state government processes and organization will help further the goals of our association. Patrick worked closely with many of our Highway Commissioner members while at WisDOT on key issues and we’re anxious to have him lead our organization going forward.”
Along with his time at WisDOT, Vander Sanden began his professional career working as a policy aide for the Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor and later worked in the State Assembly and State Senate. He later spent over 14 years in local government management as a Public Works Director, Village Administrator and City Administrator.
“I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the WCHA to serve in this role,” said Vander Sanden. “I am very excited for the opportunity to assist the WCHA in furthering the critical work our county highway departments do to maintain safe and reliable transportation infrastructure for the State of Wisconsin.”
Vander Sanden began his duties on January 9, 2023.
