City's Environmental Services names new assistant director

provided by city of Springfield

Erick Roberts has worked for the city for more than two decades.

A more than 20-year veteran of the city of Springfield has been promoted to an assistant director position.

Erick Roberts, effective Sept. 26, took on the role for the city's Environmental Services department, according to a news release. He's one of two assistant directors, along with Ron Petering, who report to Environmental Services Director Errin Kemper.

"Erick is an extremely talented leader with a unique ability to anticipate the needs of our community," Kemper said in the release. “I am very excited to watch him excel in his new role.”

Roberts most recently worked as superintendent of the Solid Waste division since 2012. In that role, he managed the city's integrated solid waste management system and oversaw the Noble Hill Sanitary Landfill and Yardwaste Recycling Center, among others.

With Petering, Roberts will lead Environmental Services projects and initiatives, as well as track and make recommendations to comply with regulations and implement management plans, according to the release.

City spokesperson Kristen Milam said the assistant director position was left vacant when Wade Drossel left the municipality in the spring. Drossel's LinkedIn profile indicates he now works as a project engineer for Cross Discipline Engineering LLC in Marshfield.

Environmental Services expanded to two assistant directors, Drossel and Petering, in 2018 after Kemper was promoted to the top role, according to past reporting.