Regular meetings for the Board of Directors are held on the third Monday of each month at 4:00 PM in the HBPW Conference Center on Industrial Loop Drive, Hannibal. The Board agenda is published on the Friday prior to each meeting and the public is welcome to attend.
The Hannibal Board of Public Works is managed by a four-member Board, with members appointed by the City Manager and subject to City Council approval. Board Members serve four-year terms, and they oversee the utility’s operations, planning, and financial condition.
Disclaimer Regarding Audio/Video Recording of Events
Notice of Filming and Photography: When you participate in an HBPW Board of Directors meeting, public hearing, public meeting, or other public events you may be participating in an occasion where photography, video and audio recording will occur.
By participating in these public meetings, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on web sites, or for any other purpose(s) that HBPW Board and representatives deems fit to use. You release HBPW Board, its officers and employees, and each and all personals involved form any liability connected with taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings.
By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by HBPW Board or the person or entity designated to do so by HBPW Board.
You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before participating in the HBPW event.
Current Board of Public Works Members
John Ortwerth
John is currently a property manager with Seldin Company, a property management company based in Omaha NE, which manages the Mark Twain Hotel Apartments in Hannibal and other entities in the area. His work history includes working as the Director of Property Management at Northeast Community Action Corp. (NECAC), a partner in a communication company based in Addison IL providing digital transcription services to Radio Common Carriers and Phone companies throughout the US. John also spent a dozen years as a Sales Engineer for Quintron in Quincy, then Glenayre Electronics, a Vancouver Canada based radio and control communications company performing sales in US and Internationally. John enjoys spending time with his grown daughters and grandchildren and looks forward to his involvement as a Board member.
Bill Fisher
William (Bill) Fisher was born and raised in Hannibal, and is a lifelong resident. Bill attended Hannibal High School and Hannibal LaGrange University. He studied Rubber Chemistry through Akron University. Bill is currently an operator for BASF. He spent a short period of time with JM Huber after leaving Buckhorn Rubber. Bill worked for Buckhorn for the past 33 years, where the last nine were spent as Production Manager. Bill and his family are members of Holy Family Church. Bill is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Hannibal Boat Club, Community First Credit Union Board and has been on the Hannibal Board of Public Works Board of Directors since 2017. President of the NEMO Outdoors Club, Bill is a hunting, fishing, and boating enthusiast. He also enjoys woodworking and tinkering around his shop. Bill and his wife, Renee, have been married for 34 great years, and have two children, Ryan and his wife Whitney and Stephanie, and three grandchildren Joshalyn, Lawson and Susan.
Kellie Cookson
Kellie Cookson, a cosmetologist for 25 years, is married to Jay Cookson. They have two children, Josh Cookson and Haylee and Glen Wiley, and 4 grandchildren, Elijah, Tobiah, Braxton, and Peyson. She is a 1999 graduate of Abbott Academy in Hannibal, MO. Kellie has served as a cosmetology instructor at Creative Image in Hannibal, MO for 4 years as well as Vatterott College in Quincy, IL for 5 years. She has also served as secretary for Cosmetology Illinois (CI). Currently, Kellie owns The Chop Shop and has been in business for 10 years. She has also been the owner of a commercial cleaning business, Auto Shine CCS, for 12 years. Kellie is a member of The Crossing Church and currently serves as a leader in K-5. In recent years, Kellie originated a community group, Hannibal 2 Oppose Chlorine (H2Oc) and brought forward proposition 1 to remove ammonia from the water originator. In her free time, Kellie enjoys reading, bible study groups, spending time with grandkids, swimming, bike riding, walks, and sleepovers.