Rural Ellinwood resident Phillip Hathcock was introduced at the Barton County Commission meeting Monday morning as the county’s new solid waste manager.
Hathcock officially begins duties today and will begin by training with current manager Mark Witt for two weeks. In addition, he has been scheduled to attend a training where he will take Solid Waste Association of North America’s Landfill Management Certification exam. 
“I am very excited to get started,” Hathcock said. Originally from Atlanta, Ga., he came to Barton County eight years ago with his wife who has area roots.
He has a degree in chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University, and has had management experience, said County Administrator Richard Boeckman. Some of his work history has involved water monitoring and landfills.
Boeckman said the county received a dozen applications, but only conducted two interviews. Finding someone with actual landfill management experience would be difficult, but Hathcock has shown great interest and enthusiasm about the position.
Through his own initiative, Boeckman said Hathcock visited with Witt to learn about the job and found out about the landfill management certification. Commissioners applauded him for his efforts.
“He brings some good background,” Boeckman said.
Witt will leave his post as the Barton County public solid waste manager Aug. 14. He has been employed by Barton County since February, 2001. Prior to that, he spent six years with the Great Bend Fire Department.
 He was married July 26 in North Platte, Neb., and he and his wife will be moving to Kearney, Neb., where she works as a psychiatric nurse.