Governor Jan Brewer Names Ben Grumbles Director of ADEQ

Benjamin H. Grumbles to lead Governor’s Policy on Environment
And Transition into Directorship of ADEQ in June 2009

PHOENIX - Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today named Benjamin H. Grumbles as her Policy Advisor for the Environment. Mr. Grumbles currently resides in Arlington, Virginia and will commute and telecommute between Virginia and Phoenix until June 19th, 2009, at which time he will have relocated to Phoenix with his wife and two school-aged children. Effective June 22, 2009, Mr. Grumbles has agreed to transition to serve as the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).

“Mr. Grumbles is an internationally renowned expert in water
conservation and water quality and will serve this administration and the citizens of Arizona very well,” stated Brewer. “In a continued effort to fill my cabinet with the best and brightest, it became imperative that we act immediately in securing Mr. Grumbles. I am thrilled that we were able to do so.”

Mr. Grumbles, whose parents and siblings reside in Arizona, has an extensive background in environmental policy formulation having served most recently as Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There he led the National Water Program involving Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water, wetlands protection, ocean dumping, and the American Indian Environmental Office. While with the EPA, he also served as Associate Administrator for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations and as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water.

Prior to his years with the EPA, Mr. Grumbles served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Environmental Counsel for the Science Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. For over fifteen years, he served in various capacities on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee staff, including Senior Counsel for the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee. His duties included legislation and oversight regarding energy and environmental research and policies of the Department of Energy, EPA, Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA.
From 1993 to 2004 he was an adjunct professor of environmental law at the George Washington University Law School.

Mr. Grumbles received his Master of Laws (LL.M) in Environmental Law, graduating with the highest honors from George Washington University Law School. He also received his J.D. from Emory University Law School and his B.A., graduating Summa Cum Laude, from Wake Forest University.

Mr. Grumbles will replace current acting Interim Director, Patrick J. Cunningham, who will resume his duties as the Deputy Director of ADEQ.

“I am thrilled that Mr. Cunningham has agreed to continue at ADEQ and resume his leadership as Deputy Director,” stated Brewer. “I have the utmost confidence in Patrick’s background, knowledge and experience as he has served so well at the helm of ADEQ during this interim period.”