Zak Covar

Covar previously served as deputy executive director and assistant deputy executive director since June 2008. He was responsible for the day to day operations, policy implementation, and budget-related activities for the agency. Prior to his appointment to the executive office, he served as the executive assistant to TCEQ Commissioner Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D.

Covar worked as the environmental and natural resource adviser to Governor Rick Perry from 2005 to 2007. In this role, Covar was responsible for advising the governor and senior staff on all major budget and policy issues pertaining to the TCEQ, the Texas Railroad Commission, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Prior experience included his tenure as the Clerk for the House Environmental Regulation Committee for Chairman Dennis Bonnen (State Representative, District 25).

A native Texan, Covar earned a Bachelor of Science in Poultry Science from Texas A&M University. He and his wife Krista have a daughter and identical twin boys.