Office of the Executive Director

The executive director, who is hired by the commissioners, is responsible for managing the agency's day-to-day operations.

Zak Covar

Richard A. Hyde, P.E.

Stephanie Bergeron Perdue

Major responsibilities of the executive director include directing the operations of 17 statewide offices, implementing commission policies, making recommendations to the commissioners about contested permitting and enforcement matters, and approving uncontested permit applications and registrations.

The deputy executive director serves as the chief operating officer to assist the executive director in the administration of the agency. In coordination with the Office of Legal Services, the special counsel advises the executive office on pending litigation and other legal matters.

Six office clusters report to the executive director. Each office is headed by a deputy director. These deputies are responsible for administering our regulatory and administrative programs.

Office of Administrative Services
Office of Air
Office of Compliance and Enforcement
Office of Legal Services
Office of Waste
Office of Water

Also reporting directly to the executive office:
Chief Engineer
Agency Communications
Intergovernmental Relations
Small Business and Environmental Assistance
Toxicology

Chief Engineer

Vacant
Staff: Address/Phone/Fax

Our chief engineer reports directly to the executive director and serves as the science adviser for the executive office, specifically regarding executive-level technical and policy matters. In this role, the chief engineer monitors federal initiatives that may affect the implementation of federal regulations or whose implementation may result in adverse consequences to the environment, the state, or the TCEQ.

The chief engineer engages external organizations in discussion of national issues to gain consensus on regulatory strategies and technical or scientific understanding. The chief engineer also works with internal offices to coordinate cross-agency issues and develop strategies to implement new initiatives and legislation and to review innovative technologies related to TCEQ regulatory compliance.

In addition, the chief engineer serves as liaison with the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and assists professional engineers within our agency on matters such as licensing requirements and continuing-education requirements.

Agency Communications

Andy Saenz, Director
Staff: Address/Phone/Fax

The Agency Communications Division works to continuously improve and streamline the delivery of print and Web information to the public and within the agency. This division coordinates the agency response to all media inquiries, prepares and distributes agency news releases, and coordinates news conferences. The division also includes the agency library, and a publishing staff that coordinates, produces, and distributes regulatory and general informational materials, both print and Web.

Intergovernmental Relations

Jim Harrison, Director
Staff: Address/Phone/Fax

The Intergovernmental Relations Division (IGR) coordinates the agency response to congressional and state legislative inquiries and constituent issues, legislative initiatives, and interim committee studies affecting the agency. IGR also coordinates the agency’s testimony and participation during legislative sessions and ensures that the Legislature is informed of the TCEQ’s initiatives and activities. IGR serves as a clearinghouse for border-affairs information for the TCEQ and coordinates agency comments on national policy issues.

Small Business and Environmental Assistance

Brian Christian, Director
Staff: Address/Phone/Fax

The Small Business and Environmental Assistance Division (SBEA) provides confidential compliance assistance on air, water, and waste regulations to small businesses and small local governments; works with regulated entities, industries, and manufacturers to implement pollution prevention, recycling, and innovative environmental programs; and educates the public and the regulated community on rules, TCEQ processes, and environmental issues. SBEA services include:

a confidential compliance assistance hot line (800-447-2827) for small businesses and local governments;
online tools and resources for small businesses and local governments;
free on-site technical assistance and other resources for regulatory compliance;
assistance with pollution prevention planning and reporting;
seminars and workshops on regulations and pollution prevention;
information on innovative practices and technologies such as environmental management systems and clean school buses;
environmental education resources for schools and educators;
awards and special events to recognize environmental leadership;
information on recycling and disposal opportunities (including materials such as computer equipment and televisions);
resources for individuals, communities, schools, and businesses that want to Take Care of Texas; and
voluntary programs, advisory committees, and partnerships encouraging public participation.

SBEA also implements the TCEQ’s Public Education Program. The program answers questions about pending TCEQ permits, explains the permitting process, helps the public learn of opportunities for public participation on permit applications, and staffs a toll-free hotline for the general public (800-687-4040). In addition, the Public Education Program distributes the TCEQ Customer Satisfaction Survey, which encourages customers’ feedback on their experiences with the agency. Every two years, the Public Education Program summarizes the most recent survey responses in a Report on Customer Service to the Legislative Budget Board.

Toxicology

Michael Honeycutt, Ph.D., Director
Staff: Address/Phone/Fax

The Toxicology Division gives toxicological support to a broad range of agency activities. The division assesses risks to human health and makes technical recommendations regarding agency permitting, monitoring, and enforcement.

TCEQ toxicologists:

Conduct the toxicological evaluations of air permit applications.
Develop Effects Screening Levels.
Develop Air Monitoring Comparison Values.
Evaluate environmental data collected from the air, water, and soil.
Characterize and communicate risk to citizens and external stakeholders.
Make recommendations for the addition or removal of areas to the Air Pollutant Watch List based on air monitoring data.
Review Baseline Risk Assessments and other remediation-related documents submitted under the Texas Risk Reduction Program and the Risk Reduction Rules for state and federal Superfund sites.

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