County names new emergency management director

The Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management has another new director. 

One year after Director Ryan Nicholls left the department for a similar statewide position only to return 84 days later, Nichols has moved on again, taking over as emergency management planner with the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Nicholls left Springfield in March, said Springfield-Greene County OEM spokesman Dale Moore. 

Stepping in for Springfield-Greene County is 37-year-old Chet Hunter, who worked most recently as emergency management director in Lawrence County, a position he has held since 2009, according to a news release.

Moore said OEM Assistant Director Larry Smith is serving as interim director until Hunter takes the reins July 7. 

"I know that the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management has a regional, statewide and national reputation of excellence in the profession, and to be selected as the director at this point in my career is a dream come true for me and my family," Hunter said in the release. 

Hunter also has experience as an emergency medical technician with Mercy Emergency Medical Services since 2002. He is a 2000 graduate of Baptist Bible College, was  credentialed as a Missouri Certified Emergency Manager in 2010 and received his professional development certification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2011, according to the release. 

Hunter will earn an annual salary of $55,800. Nicholls was paid $61,069 as of June 2013.