Lawrence resident fills interim KDHE post
Secretary Roderick Bremby has named a longtime Kansas Department of Health and Environment employee and Lawrence resident as interim director of environment.
John Mitchell, who is also a Lawrence school board member, will replace Ron Hammerschmidt, who will retire from the state effective Friday and begin work for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Kansas City, Mo.
Mitchell has worked for the KDHE for more than 28 years and serves as the director of the bureau of environmental field services.
“John has built a wealth of experience and institutional knowledge throughout his tenure with the agency,” Bremby said. “I am confident he will capably lead the division of environment through this period of transition.”
State leaders will conduct a nationwide search for Hammerschmidt’s permanent replacement. He has worked for the KDHE since 1980.
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