Leggett Announces New Appointments to Head Environmental Protection and Housing Departments

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett today announced his selection of Elisabeth (Lisa) G. Feldt, associate deputy administrator of the Office of the Administrator in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to lead the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and named Clarence J. Snuggs, acting director of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, to head the County's Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA).

Speaking about his appointments Leggett said, "In Lisa Feldt, we have found an outstanding administrator and leader who can carry our array of innovative and progressive environmental programs and services to an even higher level while providing the impetus for new programs."

"Clarence Snuggs brings a wealth of experience in community development and a background of a broad range of real estate lending and business and program development that will serve us well as we work to serve those in need of affordable housing in Montgomery County.

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) -- Elisabeth (Lisa) G. Feldt

In August 2013, Feldt was appointed by President Obama as associate deputy administrator and also served as acting deputy administrator from August to October of this year.

Before serving in her most recent post, Feldt was deputy assistant administrator for solid waste and emergency response in EPA. She began her career with EPA in 1984 as an environmental engineer in the Superfund Office and was a senior engineer in the Office of Radiation Programs.

From 1989 to 2000, Feldt served in the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environment Safety and Health and the Office of Environmental Management. She left DOE in 2000 and operated her own consulting firm before returning to EPA in 2009.

County Councilmember Roger Berliner, chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy & Environment Committee said, "Our County is fortunate to have landed such a qualified and experienced environmental and energy leader for our Department of Environmental Protection. Ms. Feldt's national leadership at EPA and DOE will accrue to our county's benefit and reflects our commitment to be a model sustainable community."

Feldt attended Union College and received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from George Washington University. She resides in West River, MD.

She replaces Bob Hoyt who served as DEP director from late 2007 until his retirement earlier this year.

Looking back on Hoyt's term as DEP director, Leggett said that the County moved forward with numerous programs to further enhance the environment and position Montgomery as an environmentally progressive jurisdiction.

"For example, we expanded County recycling to be the most comprehensive in the region, we set a new goal to recycle 70 percent of the County’s waste by 2020 -- one of the highest in the country. The County's Bag Law was proposed and implemented to reduce litter in County streams and along roadsides, protect the environment and reduce County litter pickup costs. Early results show a 50 percent reduction in plastic bags in County waterways.

"DEP initiated the Green Business Certification Program to encourage private companies in the County to 'go green.' We also implemented the first County program in the State to carry out the State’s M-4 stormwater program, aimed at protecting water quality by controlling runoff from paved surfaces to our streams and water supplies. "I'm very proud of our environmental accomplishments under Bob's leadership," said Leggett.

DEP has a staff of 90 and a current budget of $ 22.3 million.

Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) -- Clarence J. Snuggs

A resident of Silver Spring, Snuggs had previously served as deputy director of the department located in Crownsville for the past seven years. He was directly responsible for overseeing the Division of Development, Neighborhood Revitalization, Credit Assistance and Asset Management, Finance and Administration, Information Technology, Internal Audit and Fair Practices.

Among his accomplishments during his tenure with DHCD, Snuggs produced the first statewide housing plan in state history; launched the first Families First Program Pilot to assist veterans with families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with temporary rental assistance; assisted nearly 13,700 families achieve homeownership with mortgage and down payment /closing costs assistance totaling more than $2.5 million.

Prior to his career with the state, Snuggs was with the Enterprise Foundation in Baltimore for three years, the neighborhood reinvestment Corporation for five years and worked in banking for 20 years.

He holds a BBA from Winston-Salem State University and an MBA from Howard University.

DHCA has a staff of 85 and a current budget of $40.1 million.

Snuggs replaces Richard Y. Nelson Jr. who is retiring January 2 after serving as DHCA director since February 2007.

Leggett commended Nelson's accomplishments over his past eight years with the County. "Rick guided the department through the housing foreclosure crisis and oversaw a Housing Initiative Fund that has grown to more than $100 million.

"Under his leadership, we constructed, acquired and preserved more than 12,000 units of affordable housing for working families with projection of 15,000 in the near future, despite a severe reduction in non-County matching funds due to the recession.

"The County also Initiated one of the most aggressive home foreclosure prevention campaigns in the nation, counseling more than 13,000 residents."

Leggett said that he was "pleased with the strength of the experience each person brings to their respective position. I look forward to working with them and having the benefit of their extensive experience and input as we move forward through the next four years."

Feldt and Snuggs are expected to begin their duties in January.

Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council.

 

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Media contact: Patrick Lacefield, 240-777-6507