County’s EM Director Resigns, Rescinds, Resigns Again

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By Brandi Makuski

Portage Co. Emergency Management Director Joe Brandt has resigned from his position. Twice.

In a Brett Farve-esque move, Brandt tendered his resignation, effective Jan. 12, last week. He rescinded that resignation on Dec. 21, according to Patty Dreier, who said she accepted his rescission.

But on Dec. 27, Brandt submitted his resignation again, this time effective Jan. 26.

In his resignation letter, Brandt expressed “absolute pleasure” in having worked with Portage Co. Executive Patty Dreier and her staff.

“I have found great pleasure in serving the citizens of Portage County and feel that I have had [sic] several accomplishments that will leave our community better than when I started,” Brandt’s letter reads in part.

No reason for leaving, or why he rescinded his original resignation, was included in the letter.

Brandt, who has held the position for a little over a year, is the fifth emergency management director in as many years for Portage County. Former director Sandy Curtiss retired in 2012, and was temporarily replaced by interim director Coreena Neeb until FEMA’s Keith Krueger was hired to take on the role permanently in early 2013.

Krueger left after seven months.

In June of 2013, Krueger was replaced by Paul Baker, who was on the job for only six months when he was fired by Dreier for reasons not publicly disclosed.

Baker was replaced by Matthew Dykstra, who held the position a little under two years before he resigned in September of 2016.