Bi-State Development announced Herbert Simmons is the newest member appointed to its Board of Commissioners. The St. Clair County Board recently approved Simmons’ appointment to the board. Simmons, Director of the St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), replaces Jeffrey K. Watson whose board term had expired. Additionally, Simmons was recently elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the St. Clair County Transit District.
In his role as Director of St. Clair County EMA, Simmons is responsible for the emergency preparations for St. Clair County and oversight of its response to natural disasters and other emergency incidents. Simmons is also currently the Executive Director of the St. Clair County Emergency Telephone System Board and the mayor of East Carondelet, Illinois – a position he has held for the past 34 years. He is chairman and member of several boards and organizations, including the Illinois Terrorism Task Force and the East-West Gateway Council of Governments.
“Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving this region and this community in various capacities, and I’m honored to have this opportunity to serve as a board commissioner for Bi-State Development,” Simmons said. “I enjoy being involved in the community, and I look forward to doing whatever I can to support the mission of this organization.”
The Bi-State Development 10-member Board of Commissioners provides overall leadership and policy direction for the organization, and is comprised of five members from Illinois and five from Missouri. In Missouri, the governor selects members of the board, and in Illinois, county board chairmen for both St. Clair and Madison Counties appoint their representatives.