BISMARCK, ND North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum announces that North Dakota Department of Transportation Director Grant Levi is retiring, effective at the end of May, and the governor has named Ron Henke to serve as interim director.

Henke currently serves as NDDOT's deputy director for engineering. He joined the department in 1990. He also serves on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Standing Committee on Highways.

The announcement said the search for a new director was starting right away.

Levi began his career with the department in 1980, and then Gov. Jack Dalrymple appointed him as the department's CEO in May 2013. Earlier, he was the NDDOT's deputy director for engineering for 14 years, managing the department's planning, programming, pre-construction, construction and maintenance programs.

Burgum expressed his gratitude to Levi for his contribution to the state's transportation system over more than three decades. 

"Grant's 37-plus years of experience, knowledge and commitment to public service have been a tremendous asset for the state's transportation system," Burgum said. "He has done an excellent job managing North Dakota's transportation services and system during a period of record traffic growth across our state. I've enjoyed working with him and deeply appreciate his work during the past few months. In addition, he and his team oversaw record state highway construction projects totaling billions of dollars during the boom in our economy. The NDDOT, the governor's office and Cabinet wish him the best in his retirement."

Levi said his NDDOT career "has been filled with phenomenal opportunities. The department has overcome numerous challenges and successfully accomplished many projects for our state, thanks to the great people in this organization. I am immensely thankful to the governor for the opportunity he gave me to serve our state and the citizens of North Dakota."