April 21, 2026
By TIM HUNDT
VIROQUA Wis. – Vernon County has found its next top executive right next door by hiring Viroqua City Administrator Nate Torres to serve as the new county administrative coordinator.
The hiring marks another significant transition for a county government that has experienced a great deal of structural upheaval in recent years. The county is currently working to fill the vacancy created by outgoing Administrative Coordinator Cassandra Hanan who announced in March that she is stepping down effective May 1 to spend more time with her family. Hanan took over the position in 2023 after a tumultuous period where the county board eliminated the county administrator role entirely forcing the departure of the first ever county administrator Cari Redington. The county board then reverted the top management role back to an administrative coordinator model.
Torres arrives at the county with a strong background in local government having served as the Viroqua city administrator since early 2019. Originally from Illinois Torres earned a master degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University and was working as a director at the La Crosse Area Family YMCA when he was hired to lead the city.
Administrative Coordinator Cassandra Hanan presented the hiring resolution to the Vernon County Board of Supervisors during their April 21 meeting. Hanan noted the county had a large pool of applicants and successfully recruited a highly qualified local candidate.
“We had over 90 applicants that, with a caveat that some of those were indeed applications who we did not really consider,” said Hanan. “We interviewed four qualified candidates and they did extend an offer to Nate Torres and he has accepted that offer.”
Torres appears to be a strong fit for the county because he recently guided the city of Viroqua through similar types of projects and financial strategies that Vernon County is currently undertaking. During his seven years at the helm of the city Torres oversaw an unprecedented era of municipal construction including a $2.3 million dollar police department renovation a $3.2 million dollar city hall facility and a new $9.5 million dollar fire station.
Torres also helped guide and manage a wave of development working closely with the Viroqua Development Association (VDA) and the county on a new business park, the Hanson Farm project and the Main Street apartments that includes new retail space and a daycare.
To manage those massive undertakings Torres introduced comprehensive budgeting practices and developed a formal capital improvement plan which allowed the city to strategically schedule borrowing for large scale infrastructure projects over multiple years.
Vernon County is currently in the midst of similar transitions, developing its first ever capital improvement plan and is utilizing long-term borrowing to fund millions of dollars in road repairs and equipment purchases. The county is also actively exploring comprehensive energy audits to fund major facility upgrades including a proposed emergency management building and new heating systems.
Despite his qualifications the county board vote to officially designate Torres as the new coordinator was not unanimous and featured procedural friction. The board first had to vote on an amendment to fill in the blank spaces on the drafted resolution with the name of the candidate and his start date of June 23.
Supervisor Nathaniel Slack argued the amendment was just a simple clerical step to finalize the hiring committee decision.
“That offer has been given he has accepted,” said Slack. “This is just an appropriate adjustment to the resolution to update it to the candidate name.”
Several supervisors pushed back and requested a secret paper ballot for the vote. The amendment to add the name to the resolution ultimately passed on a 12 to 6 ballot vote with one abstention. Supervisor John Pedretti who was apparently an applicant for the position. The board then voted on the final amended resolution to officially hire Torres which passed on an 11 to 7 paper ballot vote.
Because Torres will not begin his duties until June 23 the board also had to designate an interim coordinator to bridge the gap after Hanan leaves on May 1. Hanan strongly recommended that the board appoint Human Resources Director Trisha Lepke to the temporary role. Hanan explained that Lepke is the best choice because she is already heavily involved in the ongoing rollout of the new county payroll and human resources software system.
“That would be my recommendation just because of the projects we are working on right now,” said Hanan. “I would have a week and a half to get anyone else up to speed and I frankly do not think that is enough time.”
Supervisor John Pedretti suggested the board consider Community Development Director Amy Oliver for the interim role. Pedretti noted that Oliver had successfully served as the interim coordinator during the previous executive transition in 2023.
The board became bogged down in a procedural debate over whether to treat the names as nominations or formal motions. Ultimately the board voted on the initial motion to designate Lepke as the interim administrative coordinator effective May 1 and the motion passed.
Torres departure from Viroqua city government means newly elected Mayor Krista Browne loses Torres skills and knowledge to help her get up to speed, but it also means Browne will be able to help search for a new administrator to help get her accomplish her agenda moving forward.
Brown said she is sad to see Torres leave the but understands his decision and recognized his contributions to the city.
“Nate Torres has given seven years of steady, professional service to Viroqua, and the City is stronger for it,” said Browne. “I want to congratulate him on his appointment as Vernon County’s Administrative Coordinator — it’s a real testament to the reputation he’s built. The good news for Viroqua is that his work with the County will continue to have a positive impact on our community. I’m committed to a smooth transition, and I’m grateful Nate has offered to do the same.”
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