Strand was supervisor at Cross Lakes for 22 years

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Ted Strand may be new to the Henning Public Utility department, but he is anything but a new face in the community.

The new public utility supervisor joined the City of Henning staff on April 4 and has been busy learning all of the ins and outs of the expansive utility department. Strand has 35 years of experience in public works, while spending the past 22 years as the public works director at Cross Lake, Minn. One thing Strand said he has prided himself on over the years was being proactive with repairs and maintenance, as opposed to being reactive.

Strand’s wife Marie (Wheeler) is a Henning native and the two were married in Henning 36 years ago in June. They moved back to the community three years ago, while Strand maintained his job in Cross Lake. That meant he spent Monday through Friday away from his wife, before coming back to the area on the weekend. When the utility supervisor job came open in Henning, Strand received encouragement from a local resident to apply for the position. 

Just four weeks after applying for the job and the new utility supervisor was already getting familiar with the staff and community. 

While he has been on the job for just two weeks, Strand said he has already seen a strong sense of community in Henning—something he hopes to be a part of moving forward.

“You can see the heart of the community. Everyone has a passion for their hometown,” he said. “People have a passion for their community and I want to be a part of it.”

The couple has three adult children and when he isn’t working, Strand said he enjoys gardening and fishing. 

Strand said anyone who has a question or would like to get in touch with him is encouraged to give him a phone call or stop by the city office.