[ADEQ Media] Former EPA Top Water Administrator Benjamin H. Grumbles Starts New Job Today as ADEQ's Director

Mon Jun 22 10:59:45 MST 2009

PHOENIX (June 22, 2009) - Benjamin H. Grumbles, who was the
longest-serving administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's national water program, takes over today as director of the
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Grumbles was selected in March as Gov. Jan Brewer's Policy Advisor for
the Environment and is starting his new job at ADEQ after relocating his
family from his previous home in Virginia.

"Ben's gotten off to a great start in his first few months of service to
the State, focusing on innovative and sustainable approaches to water
conservation and environmental protection and promoting clean and
renewable energy such as solar power," Brewer said. "I am thrilled that
Mr. Grumbles will now be able to take on his new role as head of ADEQ
because he is one of the nation's most thoughtful and collaborative
environmental regulators."

Grumbles says coming to Arizona has evolved into a homecoming of sorts.

"Over the last 30 years, all of my family has moved to Arizona,
establishing roots in Tucson, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Prescott and I'm
very happy that my wife and I and our two children will now be able to
join them," Grumbles said. "I'm also honored to be a member of  Governor
Brewer's team and am committed to accelerating environmental progress
and fostering a culture of collaboration to sustain our State's economic
competitiveness."

Grumbles was assistant administrator for water at EPA in Washington,
D.C. from January 2004 until January 2009. He carried out the federal
Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act and managed 2,100 full-time
employees and a $3.6 billion budget. Grumbles also managed EPA's
American Indian Environmental Office with air, water, waste and
watershed responsibilities throughout the agency's 10 regions.

Before his service with EPA, Grumbles worked 17 years in the U.S. House
of Representatives, including as senior counsel for the Water Resources
and Environment Subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee. He also was Environmental Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff
for the Science Committee.  Grumbles participated extensively in
reauthorizations and investigations of the nation's environmental, water
resource and energy laws.

In addition, Grumbles taught for 10 years (1994-2004) at the
environmental law program of George Washington University Law School.

Grumbles is a member of the board of directors of River of Words, a
nonprofit nationally acclaimed organization devoted to children's
poetry, art and environmental education. He also serves on the board of
directors of Clean Water America Alliance, a nonprofit educational
organization uniting governments, organizations and citizens in support
of protecting and sustaining watersheds.

Grumbles received a B.A. in English from Wake Forest University, a J.D.
degree from Emory University Law School and a Master of Laws degree in
environmental law from George Washington University Law School.

Brewer thanked Patrick J. Cunningham for his five months of service as
acting director of ADEQ. Cunningham will return to his previous job as
ADEQ's deputy director. 

"Pat faced some enormous challenges because of the budget crisis in
state government but handled them all in a very competent and
professional manner," Brewer said. "I am pleased that he will continue
to be a leader at ADEQ."

-30-

"News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
ms15@azdeq.gov."

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