Governor Inslee appoints Dennis McLerran to Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council

Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Dennis McLerran to the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council. Mr. McLerran recently served as the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 10, which encompasses Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, and Pacific Northwest Indian Country.

“It’s an honor to have Dennis serving side by side with us on the very important cause of recovering and protecting Puget Sound, one of our state’s most iconic crown jewels. His expertise in land use, climate change, treaty rights, and environmental policy issues will be invaluable in helping to guide the future of Puget Sound recovery,” said Governor Inslee.

From 2010 until January of this year, Mr. McLerran served in his post for the EPA. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Stockholm Environment Institute US, a research affiliate of Tufts University specializing in sustainable development and environmental issues. His previous experiences include serving as executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, the regional air quality agency for King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties; president of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies; and chairman of the Land Use and Environmental Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association. He holds a law degree from Seattle University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from the University of Washington. 

“I’m thrilled to have Dennis joining the Leadership Council,” said Sheida Sahandy, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership. “He has a deep knowledge of the federal agencies, and will help to continue to better align state and federal efforts in restoring and protecting Puget Sound.” 

“It will be an honor to work on Puget Sound recovery with the Leadership Council and the Partnership,” said Mr. McLerran. “Restoring Puget Sound is a very worthy and challenging cause and I hope to be a strong contributor in that effort.” 

Mr. McLerran’s term on the Leadership Council runs through June 25, 2018. He fills the vacancy left by Martha Kongsgaard, who served on the Council for the past 10 years.