Southwest Missouri News--Southwest City

by Carol Harris, Branson area, and Mary Engler-Guccione, Joplin area

Simmons Foods Inc. has hired a director of environmental quality, ultimately to be assigned to the company's Southwest City plant.

Joe Earney, former area environmental manager for Hudson Foods' engineering department, will be responsible for managing the company's environmental operations, including updating air permits, National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems permits, and state and local wastewater permits for the company.

He will also coordinate with federal, state and local environmental agencies to ensure compliance with pretreatment and final discharge limits.

Earney's first task will be conducting inspections and reviews of all company facilities.