Olmsted County Names New Interim Chief

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) – There is a new interim director in Olmsted County.

The appointment follows the announcement that Olmsted County Administrator Heidi Welch will assume the role of County Manager in Dakota County.

Welch, who has served as county administrator since 2017, will officially step down from his position on July 26. The Olmsted County Commissioners appointed an interim county administrator at their meeting this week.

Olmsted County Appoints Pete Giesen as Interim Administrator

The board members have agreed to the appointment Pete Giesen for the role. Giesen, who has worked for the county for more than 40 years, served as Deputy County Administrator of the Internal Services division and most recently of the Physical Development division.

a press release says the departments under his current role are: Environmental Resources, Facilities and Building Management, Parks, Planning, Property Registration and Permitting, Public Works, and the Soil and Water Management District.

From 2011 to 2017, Giesen was also the province’s Director of Public Health.

Officials say that as interim County Administrator, Giesen will make recommendations to the County Board, implement county policies, lead Olmsted County’s government organization and ensure effective delivery of county services.

His promotion creates an opening for Deputy Administrator of Physical Development. Board members selected Director of Olmsted County’s Property Records and Licensing Mary Blair-Hoeft to fill that position on an interim basis, while retaining her current role.

The administrative reorganization will take place on July 29. Olmsted County also announced that the permanent County Administrator position is now open to internal and external candidates. Applications will be accepted through August 5.