The EPA announced on December 12th, 2018 that Dana Aunkst will serve as the next Director of the Chesapeake Bay Program. Some of the responsibilities of the office include meeting restoration goals for the Chesapeake watershed and developing strategies for connecting partners in Bay states.

Aunkst previously worked at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection starting in 2002. He served as Deputy Secretary of Field Operations, where he directed six regional offices in implementing environmental regulations at the state and federal levels. He also served as Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs, directing over 2,000 staff members. In that role, Aunkst authored a “reboot startegy” for Pennsylvania to meet Bay cleanup goals. As Deputy Secretary for Water, Aunkst oversaw programs in surface and groundwater quality, public water, soil and water conservation, flood protection, sewage discharges, and stream improvements.

He will replace Nick DiPasquale, who retired a year ago, and Jim Edwards, who has been acting director since then. His key role will be coordinating efforts to meet the goals set forth by the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed agreement.