FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 25, 2026

City of Rohnert Park Appoints Mark Hendersen as Permanent Director of Public Works

Rohnert Park, CA - The City of Rohnert Park is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Hendersen as the City’s permanent Director of Public Works, following his service in the role on an interim basis.

Mark has worked for the City of Rohnert Park Public Works Department for 10 years as the Operations Manager overseeing the Fleet and Utilities Division.  His professional experience includes 25 years of municipal water and wastewater operations.  He currently serves as the City’s designated Chief Water System Operator as required by the State of California.  In terms of licenses and certifications, he holds a SWRCB Water Distribution Operator – Grade IV, SWRCB Water Treatment Operator – Grade III, and a AWWA Cross-Connection Specialist certification. 

The Public Works Department plays a vital role in maintaining the City’s essential infrastructure and quality of life. The department is responsible for the operation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of critical City systems and facilities, including streets, water, sewer, stormwater, parks, City buildings, fleet operations, sustainability programs, refuse and recycling services, and more.

In addition, after reviewing the current structure and operational status of the City’s engineering functions in both the Development Services and Public Works Departments, the City Manager has decided to merge engineering services into the Public Works Department to strengthen engineering oversight. Julian De Anda, who has served as Senior Engineer for the past three years for the City of Rohnert Park, has been appointed City Engineer, so he will be leading the recently merged Engineering Division within Public Works. The consolidation of engineering services will provide consistent oversight, improve coordination across departments, and enhance customer service for community members by streamlining review processes and clarifying lines of responsibility.

“Mark Hendersen brings deep institutional knowledge and steady leadership to the Director of Public Works role. He has spent over a decade serving Rohnert Park, and his long career in water and wastewater operations means our community can trust that essential services are in experienced hands,” said Mayor Emily Sanborn. “His appointment reflects our confidence in his ability to lead with integrity, accountability, and care for our residents.”

City Manager Marcela Piedra added, “Mark is an exceptional leader who has earned trust and credibility throughout the past 10 years he has worked for the City of Rohnert Park.  I am confident Mark’s extensive experience and community engagement will contribute significantly to the ongoing development and success of Rohnert Park.  His appointment reflects the strength of our internal leadership pipeline and the talent we continue to grow within our organization.”

Hendersen said, “Rohnert Park has been my professional home for many years, and stepping into this role is an opportunity to continue strengthening the infrastructure and services our community depends on. I care deeply about doing this work responsibly, transparently, and with a long-term perspective that protects our City’s future.”

Hendersen’s employment agreement was approved by the Rohnert Park City Council on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

For more information about the Public Works Department and its services, visit www.rpcity.org.

Media Contact:
 Name: Desiree McGunagle
 Title: Management Analyst 
 Phone: (707) 907-9667
 Email: dmcgunagle@rpcity.org
 Website: rpcity.org