EPA Announces Appointments of Regional Administrators for Regions 6, 7, and 9
WASHINGTON (Dec. 9, 2021) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced that President Biden will appoint three new Regional Administrators to lead EPA’s work protecting human health and the environment in their respective regional offices. The following individuals will be appointed:
Region 6
Dr. Earthea Nance will become EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 6. Nance will lead the implementation of the Biden-Harris environmental agenda in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and with 66 Tribal Nations.
“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Nance to the EPA team having just come back from my Journey to Justice tour, which culminated in Houston and included a visit to Texas Southern University, where Earthea serves as an associate professor,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Earthea knows firsthand how important it is that we finally deliver relief to those underserved communities that have suffered much too long. Her experience fighting for climate justice and equity will be invaluable as we work to protect those that need us most.”
“I am excited to be joining the EPA as the Regional Administrator for Region 6. The Biden-Harris Administration and Administrator Regan have developed an innovative set of policies for addressing climate change, environmental justice, massive air and water pollution, and other threats to human health and the environment. My charge is to fully implement environmental policies and laws in the region, and to not only listen, but to partner with distressed communities in order to truly make progress,” said Dr. Earthea Nance.
Dr. Earthea Nance is an environmental engineer who has worked for the last two decades with communities at disproportionate risk of environmental hazards and without adequate environmental infrastructure. She conducted community-based research after Hurricane Katrina, during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, and in communities without safe water and sanitation in Brazil and Mozambique. After Hurricane Harvey, she brought community and equity perspectives into regional disaster policy during her service on the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation Consortium and the Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force. As a public official serving as director of disaster mitigation and planning for the City of New Orleans after Katrina, she managed $60 million in flood mitigation funds and created the City’s first approved plans for hazard mitigation, sustainability, and green energy. Dr. Nance earned a Ph.D. degree in environmental engineering from Stanford University, as well as M.S. and B.S. degrees in civil and environmental engineering from the University of California-Davis. She has been a registered professional civil engineer for 25 years, a certified floodplain manager for 12 years, and has served on the faculty at Texas Southern University, the University of New Orleans, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Virginia Tech.
Region 7
Meg McCollister will become EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 7. McCollister will lead the implementation of the Biden-Harris environmental agenda in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and with nine Tribal Nations.
“Meg brings deep experience in community organizing and stakeholder engagement. I know she will ensure voices throughout Region 7 are heard on key issues and I’m very excited to welcome her to the team,” said Administrator Regan.
“I’m incredibly honored to be appointed as Regional Administrator for Region 7 to address environmental justice, climate change, and also build resilience for our important regional industries” said Meg McCollister. “President Biden and Administrator Regan have ambitious goals for addressing the climate crisis, and I look forward to working with staff, as well as local governments and regional stakeholders, to collaborate on innovative solutions to the challenges before us.”
Meg McCollister has a strong advisory and advocacy background with nearly two decades of experience serving non-profits, candidates for public office and public policy campaigns. Born in Kansas and raised in both Kansas and Missouri, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas before attending the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate with an emphasis in Urban, Land Use and Environmental Law. After law school, McCollister and her husband moved to Sonoma County, California, where she served on the Board of Directors for Sonoma County Conservation Action and worked on environmental campaigns and in local government. Upon her return to the Midwest, she has continued to serve as an advisor and strategic thinker in areas including environmental, health, and social improvement initiatives as well as communication strategies. McCollister resides in Kansas City with her husband, three children and rescued greyhound. She enjoys running, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.
Region 9
Martha Guzman will become EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 9. Guzman will lead the implementation of the Biden-Harris environmental agenda in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and 148 Tribal Nations.
“Given Martha’s extensive background in successfully delivering access to underserved communities, I am confident she is an excellent choice to lead our Region 9 team. Martha is an experienced leader that values economic justice and will represent the best interests of the residents in the region,” said Administrator Regan.
“I am honored to be appointed by President Biden to serve as Administrator of EPA Region 9 under the leadership of Administrator Regan. And I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the resilient staff at Region 9 as we tackle the chronic and emerging environmental issues in our communities” said Martha Guzman.