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Polk County engineer Rich Sanders honored with National Association of County Engineers' county engineer of the year award
Summary
Polk County Engineer Rich Sanders received the 2025 National Association of County Engineers (NACE) County Engineer of the Year award; the board and visiting NACE representatives presented the recognition during the meeting.
Polk County Engineer Rich Sanders was presented with the National Association of County Engineers’ 2025 County Engineer of the Year award during the Polk County Board meeting.
Representatives from the Minnesota County Engineers Association and NACE joined the meeting to recognize Sanders’ statewide and national contributions to county engineering. Lyndon Robjent, Carver County Engineer and president of the Minnesota County Engineers Association, summarized Sanders’ 34-year county-engineering career (including service as Polk County engineer since February 2002), his service on statewide committees and his record of participation in local research projects. Wayne Samberg, Washington County Engineer and secretary-treasurer of NACE, described the national award’s purpose — to recognize leadership, innovation and service to county transportation infrastructure — and read NACE’s commendation.
Sanders responded that the award reflected the work of his department and the county’s support, thanking the board and his family. Commissioners congratulated Sanders and noted his role in local and national committees and projects. The meeting record shows a formal recognition; no board policy action was tied to the presentation.
Ending: County staff and visiting association leaders took group photos; staff said a formal resolution and commemorative materials would be prepared.
