Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Chris Abruzzo this week announced the appointment of Katie Hetherington Cunfer as Director of External Affairs.

“I am confident Katie will excel in this new role, as the position will take greater advantage of her unique experience working with all levels of government, as well as the private sector, Abruzzo said.  “She will undoubtedly create and maintain positive, constructive relationships with these stakeholders as we work to solve problems and conduct important department business.”

Katie will be responsible for providing analysis, consultation and direction on department policies and programs as they relate to the department’s external stakeholders.  She previously served as the Executive Assistant for the DEP’s Office of Administration and Management where she oversaw many of the department’s planning and efficiency initiatives, reviewed and developed policy, and served as an official representative for the department in a wide range of settings.

Katie brings the knowledge and experience of being a member of the regulated community as well as a love of conservation to this role. Her family operates a 450 acre produce, small grains, and greenhouse farm in Schuylkill County, known for their strawberries. She is the seventh generation of that farm.

She attended the Pennsylvania State University where she received dual degrees in Agribusiness Management and Agricultural and Extension Education. She has worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Ag Marketing Service, the Foreign Ag Service, and the Farm Service Agency and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office in the ACRE program. Prior to joining DEP, Katie was the Government Relations Director for the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association.

Katie and her husband, along with his family, operate a 250 acre beef feedlot and grain family farm in Carbon County.

(Reprinted from April 3 DEP News.)

4/7/2014