Interim emergency management director identified in Butler County

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Butler County Commission has chosen an interim Emergency Management Agency director.

Robbie Myers, a former interim agency director and former Butler County commissioner, will begin work Monday.

A decision was needed quickly because storm season is beginning, said Presiding Commissioner Vince Lampe.

Current agency director Jeff Shawan announced his resignation Monday morning, with plans to work until April 24.

Lampe and Eastern District Commissioner Butch Anderson said they would like to get through the spring storm and flood season before making final decisions about the position. Salary has not been set, Lampe said.

"This will give us enough time to do some interviews and look at people in the future," Anderson said.

The commissioners felt Myers was a good choice, Western District Commissioner Jeff Darnell said.

"We just want to make sure we get the citizens of Butler County protected until we know what we're going to do," he said.

Myers was suggested for the position by Shawan. Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs agreed Myers had done a good job in the past.

Myers served as interim director from September 2012 to February 2013.

He spent much of the last two years on a missionary trip to Saipan with his wife, Lorie, and 16-year-old son, Reagan. The family returned to Poplar Bluff before Christmas and finished their missionary commitments in February, Myers said.

His previous work with the Emergency Management Agency office focused on stabilizing the department and re-establishing relationships with residents and the first responder community, Myers said.

"I want to continue the great relationships Jeff Shawan has established, to make the department work well for the county," Myers said.

He served as county commissioner for 12 years, until 2008.

Myers said he worked closely with the agency during that time and knows the stakeholders.