News from the Puget Sound Partnership

MEDIA CONTACT
Katy Johansson
360.725.5442
katy.johansson@psp.wa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12-17-2007

EPA veteran to join Puget Sound Partnership

OLYMPIA – The Puget Sound Partnership has tapped U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) veteran Ron Kreizenbeck to be its senior adviser.

Kreizenbeck, deputy regional administrator of EPA’s Region 10 office since 2001, will join the Partnership effective Jan. 20, 2008.

“To say that we are fortunate to have Ron on board is an understatement,” said David Dicks, the Partnership’s executive director. “As a charter member of the EPA, Ron’s expertise on an array of environmental issues will be invaluable to the Partnership as we lay a foundation in our effort to restore Puget Sound.”

“This is a real win for Puget Sound and the surrounding communities,” said Elin Miller, EPA Region 10 administrator. “Ron’s extensive experience in the federal government and his passion for work in the Puget Sound will provide strong support to the state’s aggressive restoration efforts.”

At the request of Gov. Chris Gregoire, the 2007 Legislature created the Puget Sound Partnership, who will prepare an Action Agenda – a roadmap for Puget Sound restoration and protection efforts – by Sept. 1, 2008.

As senior adviser to the Partnership, Kreizenbeck will be working with tribal and federal partners.

As deputy regional administrator at EPA Region 10, Kreizenbeck’s role has included working on water quality and endangered species issues in the Columbia River and developing programs dealing with air quality impacts stemming from field burning in Northern Idaho. He has twice served extended periods as acting regional director since 2004, and received the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Service in 2006.

Before becoming deputy regional administrator, Kreizenbeck held a number of leadership positions in Region 10, including: director, Alaska Operations Office; director, Office of Water; chief of staff to the regional administrator; director, Environmental Services Divisions; and director, Office of Enforcement and Compliance.

Kreizenbeck also served two assignments at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C.: director, State Capacity Implementation Team; and deputy director, Office of Marine and Estuarine Programs – following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. He received EPA’s Gold Medal for restoration activities in Prince William Sound following that incident.

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