Executive Office Biographies

Governor Doug Burgum appointed Ron Henke to lead the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) in October 2022. He joined the NDDOT in 1990 and previously served as the Deputy Director for Engineering, Office of Operations Director, and Office of Project Development Director. In addition, he also served across other areas of the department including Design, Construction, and as Assistant Engineer for Planning and Programming.

Henke earned bachelor’s degrees in Construction Management and Construction Engineering from North Dakota State University in 1988 and 2001. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in North Dakota with a background in field construction, statewide operations (construction and maintenance), planning and programming of projects, budget, environmental document preparation, and plan development.

Mike Gerhart, Jr. was named the Deputy Director for Administration in December 2023. As the Deputy Director for Administration, Michael oversees the Financial Management, Legal, Human Resources and Communications Divisions.

Mike joined the NDDOT in 2020 as the State Fleet director. Prior to joining the department, he served as the executive director of the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association. In 2018 he retired from the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) after 26 years of service. Prior to his retirement, Gerhart served as the Superintendent of the NDHP from 2014 to 2018.

 Mike received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Business Administration from Dickinson State University in 1991. He graduated from Northwestern University Traffic Institute’s School of Police Staff and Command in 2006. Mike and his wife, Jen, live in Bismarck with their son Evan.

Matt Linneman was named Deputy Director for Engineering in December 2022. He is responsible for leading the project development, construction, maintenance, and operations functions of the department. Matt works with these teams to innovatively deliver core engineering services, communicate strategic focus areas, and build strong relationships in order to safely move people and goods.

Matt’s career at the NDDOT began when he joined the Design Division as an intern in 2001. Since then, he’s spent over two decades in diverse roles dedicated to improving transportation in North Dakota. This includes progressive experience as transportation engineer in Design Division at the DOT Support Center (DOTSC). He then took a role as the program manager in the Environmental & Transportation Services Division. Most recently he was the Materials and Research Division Engineer working hard to ensure the quality, economy, and reliability of highways and bridges through the performance and innovative use of materials.

Matt is a Registered Professional Engineer in North Dakota with an emphasis in Transportation Engineering. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master Degree in Business Administration from North Dakota State University. He is actively involved in the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Western Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (WASHTO), the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA).

Chad M. Orn was named Deputy Director for Planning in March 2023. Chad collaborates closely with the Planning and Asset Management, Programing, and Local Government Divisions. Some of the key responsibilities of these divisions are statewide data collection, preparation of planning documents, managing federal funds, project scoping, grant preparation and coordination, development of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), coordination of programs with Local Public Agencies (LPAs), and transit.

Chad began his career at the NDDOT in 1999 as an engineer in the Design Division. Since his start at the NDDOT, he has developed many relationships and built upon each of his experiences in the various roles in multiple divisions. He had the privilege to serve as an Assistant Division Director in the Design, Programing, and Environmental & Transportation Services Divisions. For the past four years, he served as the Director of the Office of Project Development.

Chad is a Registered Professional Engineer in North Dakota. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from North Dakota State University (NDSU). He proudly served in the ND Army National Guard as a heavy equipment operator for twelve years.  He is a member of the Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering Advisory Board at NDSU. Chad and his wife, Angie, live in Bismarck along with their two daughters.

Robin Rehborg was named the Deputy Director for Driver Safety in 2019. Robin oversees Driver License, Motor Vehicle, Highway Safety, State Fleet and Aviation Services.

Robin joined the NDDOT in 2006 and worked in many capacities including Fleet Manager, Fleet Operations Manager, Workplace Investigation Team Lead, and Interim Driver License Director. Robin obtained her Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) designation in 2012. She served as State Fleet Services Division Director for seven years. Prior to joining the NDDOT, she was the General Manager of Southeast Propane LLC, in Gwinner, North Dakota. She has been active in several associations, including the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) where she serves as Region 3 Vice President, AAMVA International Board of Directors and member of the Finance, Investment and Audit committee, WTS International, National Conference of State Fleet Administrators (NCSFA), NAFA Fleet Management Association and the Government Fleet Magazine Advisory Board. Robin is a graduate of Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Minnesota, and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Robin and her husband, Tom, live in Mandan and have two grown daughters and one granddaughter.