JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 24, 2024 - Billy Hackett, an environmental program analyst with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Environmental Quality, has been selected as the department’s Team Member of the Month for October 2024. He was selected for his service to the department and his efforts while serving as the department’s water quality certification coordinator for Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
As part of his usual duties, Hackett managed a variety of large, high-profile projects, each with its own set of challenges. Some of these projects include a modified water quality certification for the Riverpoint Development, a large mixed-use commercial development on the Missouri River in St. Charles County, a modified water quality certification for the Roy Blunt Reservoir, a proposed multi-purpose reservoir project that will impact approximately 400 acres of wetland and 50 miles of stream, and a certification for the Ozark Beach Hydroelectric project, which involves the 16-megawatt hydroelectric power station that creates Lake Taneycomo.
In addition to project management, Hackett focused on process improvement, including creating a standard operating procedure between federal and state agencies for the review and approval of compensatory mitigation projects in Missouri. He is known for establishing positive relationships across agencies and with developers.
“Several of my staff have commented about how wonderful he is to work with and one asked if MoDOT has any awards that can be given to team members from another state agency so we can honor him,” said Chris Shulse, the environmental compliance manager with the Missouri Department of Transportation who worked with Hackett on the Chester River Bridge replacement project and the expansion of Missouri Highway 67. “I don’t think we do, but we are all very grateful to have worked with him as a partner.”
Recently, Hackett moved to a new position within the department and now serves as an environmental program analyst within the Environmental Services Program’s air quality monitoring section. As part of his new duties, he performs a variety of operations related to the calibration, operation and maintenance of air quality monitoring stations in Missouri, and other related equipment located at the program’s lab. He also reviews and validates data collected by the stations.
“Billy is competent and very efficient, mostly due to his exceptional organizational skills,” said Robert Nilges, an environmental program supervisor within the air quality monitoring section. “He is a self-starter with a great work ethic and we’re very happy to have him on our team.”
Hackett joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in May 2017 and resides in Columbia.