Commissioner's Corner
Office of the Commissioner
Ken Winters, Deputy Commissioner
The Office of the Commissioner supports the commissioner and deputy commissioner in carrying out their day-to-day responsibilities. It also assists the program bureaus in areas that cross bureau boundaries. The Office has three functional units: Communications and Education, Assistance, and Policy Development and Implementation. The Office as a whole is responsible for coordinating inter- and intra-departmental issues and assuming special assignments as needed by the commissioner and the deputy commissioner.
The Communications and Education Unit
directs all DEP communications and education efforts to create and maintain public understanding and support for departmental objectives and programs. The unit develops and disseminates all official agency announcements including media releases, weekly highlights, educational columns and other documents/materials of interest to the public and regulated community; coordinates, prepares and promotes department staff public presentations and media conferences; coordinates the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence; responds to requests for public information; and manages all DEP’s web content, including the department website and social media presence. The Communications & Education Director serves as the agency spokesperson and is the liaison for all DEP-related media inquiries. Samantha DePoy-Warren, Director 207-287-5842
The Office of Assistance
advocates for pollution prevention and innovation within department programs and regulations and within private sector and market driven activities. The unit is a liaison with state and regional economic development agencies, private sector organizations, and regional and national pollution prevention and business assistance organizations. Julie Churchill, Director 207-287-7881
The Policy Development and Implementation Unit
coordinates the legislative activities of the department and acts as liaison between the department and the Governor's Office and the Legislature. The unit coordinates policy analysis, licensing (including multi-program license transfers) and enforcement tracking, rule drafting and review, liaison to the Maine Office of Attorney General and general administrative oversight functions. This unit also manages the department's strategic plan and Performance Partnership Agreement with US EPA. Heather Parent, Director 207-287-8662
