TRENTON, N.J. — Ed Potosnak was sworn in as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday and announced a senior leadership team that will focus on government responsiveness, efficiency and affordability for residents, the department announced. Potosnak had served as acting commissioner since January. State sources have also listed him as DEP commissioner.
“I am very pleased to announce an experienced leadership team composed of professionals with extensive experience in environmental protection,” Commissioner Potosnak said. “We are dedicated to building partnerships and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to protect our environment and enhance quality of life in New Jersey. Together, we will deliver on Governor Sherrill’s mission to make government more efficient and responsive while continuing the DEP’s longstanding tradition as a national leader in protecting the environment and public health.”
Potosnak highlighted progress made through Operation FAST, or Facilitated Approvals for Sustainable Transformation, including efforts to speed up reviews of clean energy projects aimed at building energy infrastructure and providing ratepayer relief.
He also cited efforts to streamline permitting and review processes, including work to reduce a backlog in issuing Letters of Interpretation for wetlands rules determinations and efforts to work with communities and stakeholders on efficiency within the framework of the REAL rules.
The DEP has more than 3,000 professionals whose responsibilities include remediation and redevelopment of contaminated sites; protection of land, water and air resources; management of state parks and forests; flood resilience; wildfire prevention and response; scientific research; protection of natural and historic sites; and management of fish and wildlife resources.
Potosnak’s leadership team includes Deputy Commissioner Joseph Seebode, Chief of Staff Henry Gajda, Chief Advisor and Chief Enforcement Officer Kimberly Cahall, Chief Communications Officer Kelley Heck and Chief Strategy Officer Kati Angarone.
Seebode serves as second in command at the DEP and is responsible for advancing the agency’s environmental priorities, with a focus on efficiency and responsiveness. He previously spent more than 35 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and served as a DEP assistant commissioner from 2004 to 2006.
Gajda oversees the DEP’s day-to-day operations and helps guide the department in advancing the Sherrill administration’s environmental goals. He previously served as chief of external affairs and deputy chief of staff at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
Cahall oversees legal matters involving the DEP and coordinates legal activities with the state Attorney General’s Office. She also serves as the department’s chief enforcement officer. Cahall previously worked at NJ Transit and served as a deputy attorney general.
Heck leads the DEP’s external and internal communications, outreach and public education initiatives. She has more than two decades of experience in corporate, nonprofit and government communications.
Angarone provides executive-level leadership for priority policies and projects and oversees the Division of Science and Research and Office of Environmental and Public Health Analysis. She has more than 25 years of experience in various roles at the DEP.
