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County Highway Engineer excited about new position
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
When Brian Pogodzinski applied for the engineer supervisor position for
Houston County this past summer, little did he know he would be moving
up the ladder with such a rapid assent. At the position he was hired
for in August, Pogodzinski’s main responsibilities were to design and
prepare documents for the bidding of highway and bridge projects, and
oversee the engineering techs. He was basically hired to serve as
former County Highway Engineer Marcus Evans’ right hand man.
Three days after Pogodzinski had accepted the position, he learned
Evans had tendered his resignation, to become the county highway
engineer in Eau Claire County in Wisconsin. Evans gave the Houston
County Board three weeks’ notice. The county board reviewed
Pogodzinski’s education and experience, and asked the newly-hired
engineer supervisor if he would serve as interim county engineer until
a permanent replacement could be found.
Pogodzinski agreed to the board’s request. The board took another look
at Pogodzinski’s background, and decided they had a diamond in the
rough. After a series of interviews with several county commissioners,
the county offered the highway engineer position to Pogodzinski and he
accepted.
“Becoming a highway engineer was something I was hoping to attain some
day,” Pogodzinski said with a smile, while sitting in his new
office. “But I certainly didn’t think things would happen this fast.”
Pogodzinski grew up in Eau Claire, Wis. and graduated from
UW-Plattville with a degree in civil engineering. He worked for nearly
a decade with Paragon and Associates of La Crosse, where he did
engineering and planning work for road, utility, sewer, storm water,
and development projects. Because Paragon conducts work throughout the
tri-state area, Pogodzinski became a licensed engineer in Minnesota,
Wisconsin, and Iowa.
“I’ve been very impressed with the way Houston County government
works,” Pogodzinski noted. “I think it will be much easier working with
a county board made up of five commissioners than the way it is set up
in Wisconsin. Going before the 29-member La Crosse County Board was a
little intimidating when you’re trying to sell the county on a project.”
Pogodzinski certainly won’t have the opportunity to get bored with his
new position. With Houston County taking the brunt of not one, but two
natural disasters in less than 12 months, resulting in millions of
dollars in damage to county and township roads and bridges, the Houston
County Highway Department’s plate is just about full with road and
bridge repair and rebuilding projects.
As Pogodzinski pointed out, the amount of paperwork involved in
obtaining state and federal disaster repair projects is massive. Then
there is all the paperwork involved in the planning and design work,
scheduling the projects, and finally overseeing the actual physical
work to complete the projects.
Pogodzinski will also take a vital role in the planning and designing
of the new county highway department headquarters, which are proposed
to be built on Highway 76 just north of the Caledonia Area Middle
School/High School complex.
“There will certainly be plenty of things to keep me busy. I’m glad I
was able to come into the new highway building project in the early
stages.”
Pogodzinski said his decision to get out of the private sector and into
the public sector was prompted by the sagging economy. Much of what
Pogodzinski did was closely tied with the building and construction
industries. With the downturn in the economy, there hasn’t been as much
new construction, and hence the need for developers and planners.
Pogodzinski, his wife and their two young daughters currently live in
Holmen, Wis. One of the requirements of being a county engineer in
Minnesota is being a resident of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The
Pogodzinski’s are in the process of trying to sell their home “across
the creek,” and moving into Houston County.
Being an outdoorsman, Pogodzinski said he loves the Coulee Region and
is looking forward to finding the good hunting and fishing spots in
Houston County.
When asked if he will change his loyalty from the Green and Gold to the
Purple and White, Pogodzinski smiled and replied, “I’ve already been
asked that question many times. I’m planning on remaining a loyal
Packer fan!”
You can contact Charlie Warner at
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