Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director Chris Wells has been tabbed to hold a leadership role for a major national nonprofit.
In addition to overseeing regulations regarding air, water, and waste management activities in Mississippi, Wells will also act as the vice president of the Environmental Council of States (ECOS). The nonprofit is a nonpartisan association of state and territorial environmental agency leaders.
According to the ECOS’ website, the organization’s purpose is to improve the capability of state environmental agencies and their leaders to protect and improve human health and the environment of the U.S. As vice president, Wells will be tasked with shaping discussions on critical environmental priorities like state capacity, water and energy infrastructure, and advancing the circular economy.
The ECOS is currently in the midst of a five-year campaign to:
- Pursue federal resources for states to implement federally sponsored or delegated environmental programs
- Build enduring institutional connectivity with the Environmental Protection Agency
- Inspire peer sharing, collective joint learning, and innovation among state environmental agency leadership
- Advance organizational financial sustainability and organizational effectiveness
Wells was appointed to head the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality by Governor Tate Reeves in October 2020. He began his career with the agency in 2007, providing legal support for the Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Division until 2014, when he was appointed to the chief of staff position.
