PEOPLE : Exxon Creates Post of Environmental VP

Exxon Corp., which is again facing the public’s wrath over its handling of a new oil spill, has named Edwin J. Hess to the newly created position of vice president-environment and safety.

In the new position, Hess, 56, will be in charge of developing, reviewing and coordinating Exxon’s environmental and safety plans.

He will also be the company’s lead contact with the public for environmental as well as safety issues.

Hess has been senior vice president-marketing, refining and planning of Exxon Co. International, which coordinates Exxon’s operations outside the United States and Canada.

Last March an Exxon tanker, the Exxon Valdez, ran aground off the Alaskan coast and spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound.

Exxon became the target of public outrage again after a company pipeline ruptured last Tuesday and poured more than 500,000 gallons of heating oil into the New York harbor.