Howard Resigns as Federal Environmental Executive

Federal Environmental Executive John Howard resigned from his position effective June 11, 2004 to return to Austin, Texas. “It has been a privilege and an honor to have served with so many in working to improve the Federal government’s (and America’s) environmental stewardship,” Howard said in his letter of resignation. “I believe we have made substantial progress.” Howard was a strong ally of the environment and organizations such as the U.S. Green Building Council.

Ed Piñero, the Deputy Federal Environmental Executive since January 2003, has assumed the title of Acting Federal Environmental Executive. Piñero, a geologist by training, worked for Governor Tom Ridge as director of the Bureau of Environmental Sustainability in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection prior to coming to Washington.