New Appointments Made at Virginia DEQ

Governor Ralph Northam has reappointed David K. Paylor to serve as Director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.  Mr. Paylor was first appointed Director by Governor Timothy Kaine in 2006.  He was then reappointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe in January 2014 and by Governor Bob McDonnell in 2010.  Mr. Paylor has served as Director of DEQ for 12 years, making him the longest-serving Director in the agency’s 25-year existence. 

A new Deputy Director position has been created at DEQ, and Governor Northam has appointed Christopher Bast to serve in that position beginning June 18.  Mr. Bast is presently the Climate Policy Advisor in the City of Seattle, Washington’s Office of Sustainability and Environment.  He worked for Governor Kaine in constituent affairs and policy from 2006 to 2009 and was the Energy Project Coordinator at the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy during 2010.  After leaving state government in 2010, Mr. Bast’s career has focused on renewable energy and climate issues.

In addition to the Governor’s appointments, Director Paylor has made two senior appointments within DEQ.  James Golden was appointed Director of Regional Operations (a new position), and all six of DEQ’s regional offices will now report to him.  Mr. Golden was also appointed Regional Director of DEQ’s Piedmont Regional Office. 

Jeff Steers was reappointed as Director of Central Operations.  His responsibilities include overseeing the Divisions of Air, Water Planning, Water Permitting, Land Protection and Revitalization, and Enforcement, as well as DEQ’s Pollution Response Program.