PPM is pleased to welcome Jere “Trey” Hess, former Chief of the Groundwater Assessment and Remediation Division (GARD) for the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) as Director of Brownfields and Economic Development in the Jackson, Mississippi office.
Hess spent nearly 24 years with MDEQ after studying mechanical engineering and business at Mississippi State University. During that time, Hess developed a passion for community redevelopment and has been a strong advocate of the private sector economic incentives available in Mississippi. Hess said, “I often half-jokingly say if you want a park or a parking lot, get government to clean up the site. If you want jobs, tax revenue and economic growth, get the private sector to do it.”
As a result of Hess’s work at the Department, Mississippi boasts two examples of brownfields success in the Mill at Mississippi State University and the District of Eastover. These projects total over $60 million in economic impact to the cities of Starkville and Jackson, and are a testament to the benefit of private sector brownfield redevelopment.
Hess emphasizes the importance of finding long-term solutions to the environmental challenges facing communities, and challenges businesses and communities to look past the short-term bottom-line to evaluate the full life-cycle cost.
“I often half-jokingly say if you want a park or a parking lot, get government to clean up the site. If you want jobs, tax revenue and economic growth, get the private sector to do it.”
Hess said, “For the past 15 years, I’ve used a business-minded approach to solving brownfield and economic development challenges for the MDEQ. Coupling my knowledge of the financial incentives, regulatory climate and risk management strategies with PPM’s reputation for high-quality environmental solutions, I can’t help but get excited about the opportunities that lay before us.”
Mike McCown, co-founder and principal of PPM said, “PPM is very excited about Trey joining PPM. He brings a wealth of experience in the environmental field to our firm, along with a strong passion to help solve complex environmental issues that can thwart redevelopment efforts. His reputation in the Southeast and involvement with brownfields redevelopment projects will prove extremely beneficial to our clients.”
Hess holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University as well as a Master of Science in environmental engineering from the University of Mississippi. He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Mississippi.