JEFFERSON CITY, MO, SEPT. 24, 2024 - Jeremy Rackers, a project manager with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Environmental Quality, has been selected as the department’s Team Member of the Month for September 2024. He was selected for his service to the department and his efforts to lead the establishment of Missouri’s Lead Service Line Replacement and Inventory grant and loan programs.
As part of his usual duties, Rackers manages a variety of projects related to the department’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund programs. In addition to this, he has recently taken on a multitude of extra duties due to vacancies in the department’s Financial Assistance Center.
“Jeremy consistently goes above and beyond in his work,” said Reis Rosenbloom, a fellow project manager who nominated Rackers for the award. “He also holds a wealth of knowledge about the SRF program.”
In establishing the new grant and loan programs, Rackers worked with FAC leadership to identify financial management and reporting responsibilities for the programs and was involved in reviewing legislation to ensure all relevant laws and regulations were followed.
“He has been at the front of every project that has come through FAC in the past number of years,” said Matthew Shallow, an associate engineer who also nominated Rackers for the award. “I believe that his commitment to communities especially is worthy of the award.”
In addition to his usual duties, he has managed more than 100 projects related to the lead service line programs, helping communities receive financial assistance to complete their lead service line inventory and replacements, as mandated by Congress.
“Jeremy is currently working the equivalent of three people – taking calls, attending almost endless meetings, helping determine eligibility and handling all of the associated documentation,” said Hannah Salley, an administrative assistant who also nominated Rackers for the award. “He works hard without letting the pressure influence how he interacts with colleagues and external entities.”
Rackers joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in October 2015 and resides in Jefferson City.