Adam Ortiz will become the EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 3, which covers Pennsylvania along with Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and seven federally recognized Tribes.
As the EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 3, Ortiz will be responsible for the execution of EPA programs and ensure the views and needs of the region are incorporated into the formulation of agency and national policy.
“I am excited and honored to assist President Biden and Administrator Regan to address the great environmental challenges before us,” Ortiz said in a media release. “The mid-Atlantic region is rich in both environmental treasures and innovative solutions. I look forward to working closely with local and state governments, advocates, utilities, Tribes, and other community stakeholders to ensure our part of the country leads the way for environmental protection.”
Ortiz is currently the Director of the Montgomery County Maryland Department of Environmental Protection. According to the release, he launched programs to boost recycling, curbside compost collection, energy efficiency standards, and ecological targeting to watershed restoration projects. He previously was the Director of the Department of Environment for Prince George’s County in Maryland and served in the administration of Governor Martin O’Malley and at the Department of Labor under former Secretary Tom Perez. Ortiz also served three terms as the mayor of Edmonston, Maryland.