Heath Henderson has been selected as Clark County’s public works director after three months as interim director.
Henderson will oversee about 250 employees and a $194 million two-year budget. He is a Washington professional engineer who will also serve as county engineer.
County Administrator Mark McCauley consulted nearly two dozen people in considering Henderson for the open-ended appointment. In all cases, Henderson received high marks from colleagues and employees for qualifications, experience, temperament, listening and willingness to make difficult decisions when necessary, McCauley said.
McCauley said Henderson was widely respected and admired within professional circles and the community.
Henderson grew up in Maine and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Maine in 1993. He joined the City of Vancouver in 1995 as an associate civil engineer. At Clark County, he started as a civil engineer in 1998, before advancing to environmental permitting manager, design section manager and engineering and construction division manager. He succeeds Pete Capell, who resigned in January to become Camas city administrator.
