The Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) has announced Brian Hoelscher as the new Executive Director, effective immediately.
The Board of Trustees of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) has announced Brian Hoelscher as the new Executive Director, effective immediately. Mr. Hoelscher most recently served as MSD’s Director of Engineering and has over 30 years of engineering and management experience. He joined MSD in May 1995 as Manager of Construction. His other prior roles at MSD include Assistant Director of Construction Management and Assistant Director of Engineering. Mr. Hoelscher replaces Jeff Theerman, who retired as MSD Executive Director in January 2013 after 28 years with the organization. A national search was conducted for Mr. Theerman’s replacement. As Director of Engineering, Mr. Hoelscher managed a department of 230 and had overall responsibility for the development, implementation, and management of MSD’s $4.7 billion, 23 year capital program that was finalized with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2012. Mr. Hoelscher graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Water Environment Federation, the Missouri Water Environment Association, and the Engineers Club of St. Louis, the latter of which he is a former director. He resides in Glendale. In making the announcement, James Buford and Michael Yates, chairman and vice chairman of the Board of Trustees, issued the following statement: “One of Jeff Theerman’s legacies at MSD was the development of a highly proficient and accountable management team, whose knowledge and skill in running a wastewater utility is second to none. Today, we have chosen to draw upon this strength in naming Brian Hoelscher as the new Executive Director. During his tenure as Director of Engineering, Brian has shown himself to be a highly accountable leader, who understands the need for transparency in all areas of MSD’s operations. Additionally, his track record of delivering on-time and under budget over $1.3 billion in capital projects brings great reassurance to the Board as MSD continues the first years of implementing the agreement with EPA – an agreement Brian has thorough knowledge of, as he was an integral member of the MSD negotiating team. Given these facts, and the level of trust we have developed with Brian over the years, the Board voted unanimously to choose Brian as Executive Director. “The Board also wishes to acknowledge Director of Operations Jonathon Sprague for his efforts while serving as interim executive director. Jon’s leadership in the interim role allowed MSD to keep moving forward with several important initiatives and provided a steady hand on the helm of the organization during this important transition. His performance has once again proven his value as a member of the senior management team. The Board extends it sincerest thanks and appreciation to Jon for a job well done.”