The Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell Friday announced Ronald Schwartz, P.E., BCEE will become the Southwest Regional Office Director effective December 23, 2017.

He will manage field operations for Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Washington, Westmoreland, and Somerset Counties.

“Ron exemplifies the role of public servant with his track record of improving efficiency and problem solving,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “I have every confidence in Ron’s leadership of the DEP team in the Southwest Region.”

Schwartz served DEP for nearly 32 years and as the Assistant Regional Director since 2004.

In this position, he oversaw Energy and Emergency Response programs, was involved in much of the day-to-day field operations, served periodically as acting manager for various programs, and represented DEP to the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) from 2004 to 2016.

In July, he took on the additional role of Acting Regional Director.

“I’m proud to work with such an experienced and dedicated team of environmental professionals who take pride in their jobs and carrying out DEP’s mission,” said Schwartz. “I look forward to continuing our efforts to strengthen relationships and improving operations to benefit the environment.”

Schwartz is a licensed professional engineer, as well as a board-certified environmental engineer. He began his tenure with DEP as a sanitary engineer, advancing to permits section chief in the Clean Water program and, later, Air Quality Program Manager—all in the Southwest Regional Office.

Schwartz has a bachelor’s degree in environmental resource management from Penn State University. He and his wife, Sharon, live in Saxonburg, Butler County, and their two adult children, Zachary and Meagan still live in the area.

For more information on programs managed from this office, visit DEP’s Southwest Regional Office webpage.

[Posted: Dec. 22, 2017]

12/25/2017