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NEWS RELEASE
June 20, 2007
Contact:
Rick Sprott, (801) 536-4404
Executive Director, Department of Environmental Quality
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
10:30-11:30 A.M. Thursday, June 21 at DEQ
(Salt Lake City, Utah) – The Utah Senate has confirmed Rick Sprott as executive director of the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ), third executive director since the agency was created in 1991. Sprott, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former director of the Division of Air Quality (DAQ), says he will stay the course charted by his predecessor.
“The outstanding staff at DEQ is a credit to Dianne Nielson’s leadership. I expect to continue the path forward that she established by emphasizing leadership through partnerships, strong science and efficient management,” Sprott said.
He takes over for Nielson, who served 14 years as DEQ executive director before being tapped by Governor Jon Huntsman to become his energy advisor earlier this spring. Upon his appointment, Sprott appointed Cheryl Heying (pronounced Hine) as his replacement as director of DAQ.
Ernest Wessman, chairman of the Air Quality Board, praised the appointment.
“In my years working with Rick, I’ve come to appreciate his ability to find solutions by working with the regulated community, as well as other groups, to find ways to improve the air quality in the state of Utah,” Wessman said.
A Missouri native, Sprott began his career in Utah as a permit writer for the DAQ in 1994 and quickly rose to manager of the Planning Branch before becoming director in December 2000. Prior to joining DAQ, he was a career Air Force officer who served in a variety of assignments related to aerospace maintenance and acquisition. He held three command positions.
Sprott received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Grinnell College in 1968 and a master’s of environmental management from Duke University in 1994. He is the newly elected president of the Air and Waste Management Association for 2009, where he has been a member since 1993 and on the Board of Directors since 2003.
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