Press Release- Jan 05, 2007
FOR RELEASE:
FRIDAY, JAN. 5, 2007
JIM MARTIN NAMED TO HEAD COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
Gov.-elect Bill Ritter today nominated James B. Martin, one of Colorado¿s pre-eminent environmental leaders, to serve as executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
"Protecting the public health and Colorado's precious environment is central to fulfilling the Colorado Promise," Ritter said. "My administration and the people of Colorado are fortunate that Jim has agreed to lead this department and fulfill that very important mission."
Martin is currently executive director of Western Resource Advocates, a Boulder-based environmental law and policy organization.
"This department is at the very center of some of our state's greatest challenges, from protecting our air and water to assuring basic health services for all the citizens of the state," Martin said. "I am honored to be part of Gov.-elect Ritter's team as we tackle these problems and fulfill the Colorado Promise. I look forward to working with every Coloradan as we search for innovative and effective solutions to the challenges ahead."
The department is responsible for managing a multitude of public health and environmental programs. Key commissions and divisions include: Air Pollution Control, Water Quality Control, Board of Health, Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology.
Martin has served as executive director of Western Resource Advocates since 2004. Prior to that, he was director of the Natural Resources Law Center at the University of Colorado School of Law. He also was senior attorney and director of the energy program for Environmental Defense, and from 1986 to 1992 he worked for former U.S. Rep. and Sen. Tim Wirth, including four years as state director and counsel. Martin currently serves on the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission.
Martin earned his undergraduate degree in biology from Knox College in Illinois and his law degree from Northwestern School of Law, Lewis and Clark College, in Oregon.
Ritter's previous executive director appointments:
Karen Beye, Department of Human Services
Rich Gonzales, Department of Personnel and Employment
Joan Henneberry, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing
Don Mares, Department of Labor and Employment
Rico Munn, Department of Regulatory Agencies
David Skaggs, Department of Higher Education
Harris Sherman, Department of Natural Resources
John Stulp, Department of Agriculture
Peter Weir, Department of Public Safety
Ari Zavaras, Department of Corrections