Administrative Profiles

Dick Pedersen - Director

Pedersen, who has been at DEQ since 1996, has served 30 years in positions in Oregon and Montana in water quality, environmental cleanup and natural resource damage repair. He was named Director of DEQ in June 2008.

Pedersen's past positions at DEQ include Deputy Director, Northwest Region Administrator and Land Quality Division Administrator. Pedersen holds a bachelor of art/combined science degree in Biology and Chemistry from Carroll College, Helena, Montana.

or phone: 503-229-5300

Joni Hammond - Deputy Director

Hammond has served at DEQ since 1989, working in water quality, air quality and solid waste. Most recently, she has served as Eastern Region Administrator. She previously served as water quality manager for DEQ's Eastern Region.

Hammond has a B.S. degree from the University of Oregon in School and Community Health. Prior to joining DEQ, she worked for Yamhill County as an environmental specialist.

or phone: 503-229-5332

Andy Ginsburg - Air Quality Division Administrator

Ginsburg has been with DEQ since 1991. Before assuming this post, he was manager of the Air Quality Program Development Section.

Ginsburg earned a B.A. degree in Environmental Conservation from the University of Colorado and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

or phone: 503-229-5397

Neil Mullane - Water Quality Division Administrator

Mullane has been with DEQ for more than 30 years. Most recently, he has served as manager of Water Quality Permitting in DEQ's Northwest Region office. He also has served as Northwest Region Administrator.

Mullane has a bachelor's degree in Geology and a master's degree in Environmental Services from Miami University in Ohio.

 or phone: 503-229-5327

Wendy Wiles - Land Quality Division Administrator

 or phone: 503-229-6834

Greg Pettit - Laboratory Division Administrator

Pettit has been with DEQ since 1977. He's held positions as vehicle inspector, on-site sanitarian, water quality monitoring specialist, groundwater protection coordinator and water quality monitoring manager. He has worked at the regional and national level on environmental policy development, including the development of the Oregon Groundwater Protection Act.

Pettit graduated from Portland State University in 1973 with a B.S. degree in Biology.

or phone: 503-229-5983 x225

Nina DeConcini - Northwest Region Administrator

DeConcini has been at DEQ since 1993 and most recently served six years as manager of the agency’s Communications and Outreach office. She also worked in DEQ’s air quality program. Prior to joining DEQ, she managed transportation and other environmental programs at The Walt Disney Company in southern California.

DeConcini has a B.A. in Religion from The Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colo.

or phone: 503-229-6271

Keith Andersen - Western Region Administrator

 or phone: 541-687-7355

Mitch Wolgamott - Eastern Region Administrator

Wolgamott has worked at DEQ for 23 years, starting in air quality and then moving to the water quality program at DEQ headquarters. He moved to a water quality position in Eastern Region in 1994 and became a water program manager in Pendleton in 2001.

Wolgamott has a B.S. degree in Zoology from Oregon State University and an M.S. degree in Biology from Portland State University. Prior to joining DEQ, he worked in environmental and research positions in both the private and non-profit sectors.

or phone: 541-278-4619.

Kerri Nelson - Management Services Division Administrator

Nelson joined DEQ in June 1990. For the past several years she has worked as DEQ's Western Region Administrator. Nelson has worked in the tanks, hazardous waste environmental cleanup and water quality programs. Prior to becoming the regional administrator, she managed the Rogue, Umpqua and South Coast Basin water quality teams.

Nelson's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in Finance Law from Portland State University and a graduate degree in Geochemistry from Sul Ross State University, Texas.

or phone: 503-229-5045/541-687-7328

Greg Aldrich – Government Relations Manager

As government relations manager, Aldrich serves as DEQ's legislative liaison. At DEQ since 2000, he has managed DEQ’s watershed management section and worked on air quality issues for the agency’s air quality administrator.

Aldrich has worked for air quality programs in Michigan and California. He also has worked as a transportation planner. Aldrich as a B.A. degree in Geography from SUNY at Buffalo and a Master of City and Regional Planning from Ohio State University.

or phone: 503-229-6345

 Joan Stevens-Schwenger – Communications and Outreach Manager

Stevens-Schwenger has nearly 20 years of communications experience with the state of Oregon, having most recently worked for seven years as communications manager/regional coordinator for the state’s Department of Consumer and Business Services’ Building Codes Division. She also worked more than 10 years as public information officer and manager of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries’ Technical Assistance for Employers Program.

Stevens-Schwenger has a B.A. in Art History/German from Portland State University.

or phone: 503-229-6585

Jane Hickman – Office of Compliance and Enforcement Administrator

Hickman has worked for the office since 1997. As an environmental law specialist, she specialized in asbestos, water quality and hazardous materials spill violations. She also has played a lead role in DEQ’s recent streamlining of enforcement rules.

Hickman has a B.S. degree in Conservation and Resource Studies from the University of California at Berkeley. She received her J.D. from the University of San Francisco Law School in 1985.

or phone: 503-229-5555