I have several personnel announcements regarding senior leadership, which will position EPA well and continue to steer us in the right direction for the remainder of this administration.
Ken Kopocis, our current Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water, will retire in early November, concluding 32 years of public service. Ken has been instrumental in leading the Office of Water, particularly in finalizing the historic Clean Water Rule that better protects our nation’s water resources. Under his leadership, the Office of Water also finalized a rule to keep steam electric power plants from discharging 1.4 billion pounds of toxic pollutants into our waterways each year and a rule to protect billions of fish and other aquatic life from being drawn each year into cooling water systems at large power plants and factories. Additionally, he led efforts to dramatically expand the agency’s assistance to communities for green infrastructure, climate resilience, and urban waters. Prior to coming to EPA, for nearly 27 years Ken held leadership positions on both the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate where he worked primarily on water quality and water resources issues. I want to thank him for all his hard work and wish him the very best.
With Ken’s retirement, I’m delighted that Joel Beauvais will assume the role of Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water. Joel has been the Associate Administrator for Policy for the past two years, where he has served as one of my key policy advisors. Joel has played an important role in the development of high-profile rules across the Agency, has ably managed EPA’s relationship with OMB on interagency review of regulations and has led EPA’s efforts on economic analysis, climate adaptation, communities, and Lean. He is well versed in EPA’s water policy priorities, and he brings to the table extensive experience with EPA policy across program offices and a broad and deep network within OMB, the White House and other federal agencies. Previously, Joel was Associate Assistant Administrator in the Office of Air and Radiation and Special Counsel to the Office of the Administrator in the Office of General Counsel. He previously served as Counsel to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and clerked for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court. Joel’s background makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Office Water in implementing the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, and in achieving our priorities for the remainder of the Administration.
As Joel moves to Water, I’m pleased that Laura Vaught has agreed to become Acting Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy. As you know, Laura is currently the Associate Administrator for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations (OCIR). She has advised me, other senior leadership and our colleagues at the White House on effectively engaging Congress, including at hearings and in requests for information. Laura has also been a tremendous asset in several major announcements, including the Clean Power Plan and the Clean Water Rule. Prior to coming to OCIR, Laura worked as Chief of Staff for Congressman Rick Boucher and as staff on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Her familiarity with EPA policy across all program offices, a broad and deep network within the White House and other federal agencies, and her negotiation skills make her the perfect choice to lead the Office of Policy.
Rounding out the leadership announcements brings us to Nichole Distefano. I’m happy that Nichole will assume the role of Acting Associate Administrator for OCIR. She has been in OCIR for over two years and currently serves as the Deputy Associate Administrator. Nichole has worked hand in hand with Laura in advising me and our senior leadership on our Congressional interactions. She has also played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of the rollout of our two flagship regulatory efforts, the Clean Power Plan and the Clean Water Rule, among other agency efforts. Prior to coming to EPA, she worked as senior legislative counsel for Senator Claire McCaskill. Her strong legislative expertise in energy, environment, agriculture policy, federal contracting policy and domestic security matters makes her exceptionally qualified to lead OCIR.
Please join me in thanking Ken for his service and congratulating Joel, Laura, and Nichole on their new roles.
Tags: environment, EPA