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The Utah Senate on June 20 confirmed Rick Sprott as executive director of the Utah 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, 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 as his replacement as director of Air Quality.
Nielson, one of the state’s most respected administrators, is expected to continue to work closely with DEQ staff on energy related issues, which helped eased the transition.
“Dianne leaves a legacy that is hard to match,” said Bill Sinclair, deputy director of DEQ. “I am however, excited to have the opportunity to work with Rick. His knowledge of air quality issues and his leadership ability will help us move forward in partnerships critical to solving environmental issues facing Utah.”
Although Nielson and Sprott share the same vision, the difference is in their personalities.
Whereas Nielson is known for her understated manner, Sprott is known for his folksy style who aspires to own a Harley someday – perhaps a hybrid.
“He is a well grounded, down-to-earth kind of guy,” said Steve Higley, director of Support Services, who occasionally engages Sprott in a competitive game of golf.
A Missouri native, Sprott began his career in Utah 13 years ago, starting out as a permit writer for the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) and quickly rose to manager of the Planning Branch before becoming the director of Air Quality in December 2000.
While director of Air Quality, Sprott implemented an integrated data system, greatly expanded public outreach and increased community-based health actions. He oversaw several major regulatory efforts, including mercury emissions and health standards. Most recently, he helped establish a new air quality task force charged with developing organizational and funding strategies to help the state meet new tougher air quality rules established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Sprott also has worked on energy issues as part of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on Climate Change and will continue to work with Nielson who will chair that council.
“Rick has a great ability to see the big picture, and yet he’s very comfortable rolling up his sleeves and working through the details if necessary, said Glade Sowards, energy program coordinator for DAQ. “He has a very natural ability of getting to the heart of complex issues and making those understandable to the public.”
Ernest Wessman, chairman of the Air Quality Board, praises the appointments of Sprott and Heying.
“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.
Wessman also credits Heying for her work in developing a groundbreaking mercury rule aimed at reducing industrial mercury emissions in the air. “I have found her to be an extremely professional and capable person who enlists the input of many points of view to protect the environment in Utah,” he said. “The mercury rule is an example of that.”
Sprott admits his appointment to head DEQ came as a surprise to him. After all, he talked mostly about retiring soon. But he also didn’t expect to have a career in the U.S. Air Force before working for the state of Utah. He joined the Air Force ROTC to avoid being drafted. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Grinnell College in 1968 and receiving his commission as a second Lieutenant in the Air Force he got one year of an educational delay by enrolling in graduate school at the University of New Hampshire.
“The U.S. Air Force finally caught up with me so I wound up spending 20 years when I only meant to do four,” Sprott said. While in the Air Force he served in a variety of assignments related to aerospace maintenance and acquisition. After he retired, he enrolled at Duke University and received a master’s degree in environmental management in 1994.
“I went to Duke to get a masters degree so I would be qualified to do something other than ramrod fighter jets on a fight line,” he says.
Sprott is recognized nationally for his leadership in air quality issues. He is the newly elected president of the Air and Waste Management Association’s Board of Directors for 2009 after serving on the Board since 2003.
Sprott is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys snowboarding, off-road vehicles, and hiking. Likewise, Heying is a hiker known for her steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship. The two make a good team, said Joe Thomas, manager of Air Quality’s Mobile Source and Transportation Section. “Their work styles really compliment each other.”
Sprott credits Heying for her ability to get things done. “Cheryl is a first class leader and brings incredible technical knowledge and people skills. She is recognized in the West and nationally for her abilities and the Division will shine under her leadership.”
Heying began her career at DEQ in 1988 with the Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste. She left Utah for Nevada for a few years while her husband, Eric Wood, completed his medical residency program in Reno, at which time she worked as an environmental consultant and environmental regulator for Nevada. She returned to Utah and for the last six years has been the manager of the Planning Branch for DAQ, overseeing the development of plans to comply with federal air quality regulations, including recent work to incorporate tougher new rules for fine particulate pollution.
She steps into the position without any illusions. “We are facing some tough air quality rules that ultimately will improve Utah’s air. Rick, as the DEQ executive director, understands that, which will make the process smoother as we continue to work with our stakeholders and Utah citizens to develop a plan that is acceptable to the state and the EPA.”