gerhartBISMARCK (CSi) – Gov. Jack Dalrymple Wednesday announced his appointment of Maj. Michael Gerhart Jr. to replace Col. James Prochniak as Superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol. Gerhart, whose appointment and promotion to the rank of colonel is effective July 1, will direct the Highway Patrol services of 168 troopers and manage a two-year budget of $61 million.

Prochniak, who began his career with the North Dakota Highway Patrol in 1987 and has served as the Highway Patrol’s superintendent since August 2009, is retiring as of July 1, 2014.

Dalrymple said, “Maj. Gerhart is a proven leader and a dedicated law enforcement officer who has done an outstanding job in every management position he has earned at the North Dakota Highway Patrol. The citizens of North Dakota will benefit from Mike’s extensive experience as a trooper and supervisor in our oil and gas region as well as his experience directing the agency’s training and serving as field commander. The North Dakota Highway Patrol is one of the best trained and most professional in the nation and I know that Maj. Gerhart will continue that strong tradition.”

The governor thanked Col. Prochniak for 27 years of dedicated service to the people of North Dakota.

Dalrymple said, “Col. Prochniak’s strong leadership has been critical during this remarkable time of growth throughout North Dakota. We have significantly increased the number of troopers serving on North Dakota’s roadways and it’s because of Jim’s dedication and leadership that we have maintained very high standards for our troopers while still meeting the state’s needs for a larger Highway Patrol presence. We are very grateful for Jim’s dedicated service to the people of North Dakota and we wish him all the best.”

Gerhart began his career with the Highway Patrol in 1992, serving as a trooper based in Kenmare. Gerhart was promoted to regional sergeant in Minot and served in that role until August 2008, when he was promoted to lieutenant and appointed to serve as the Highway Patrol’s Safety and Education Officer. In 2009, Gerhart was named director of the Highway Patrol’s Law Enforcement Training Academy and in 2011, he was promoted to Major and appointed Field Operations Commander of the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Gerhart received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Business Administration from Dickinson State University in 1991. He is a 2006 graduate of Northwestern University Traffic Institute’s School of Police Staff and Command.

Prochniak began his career with the Highway Patrol in 1987. As a trooper, he was stationed in Bismarck, Minnewaukan, Casselton, and Fargo. In 1998, he was promoted to sergeant and served as district supervisor in Bismarck and Fargo. Prochniak was promoted to captain in 2005 and served as commander of the Fargo District. During his career, Prochniak also served as the agency’s safety coordinator, an instructor at the Law Enforcement Training Academy, commander of the Highway Patrol’s Emergency Response Team and as an accident reconstructionist. He was appointed superintendent of the Highway Patrol in August 2009.