GOVERNOR NOMINATES GENEVIEVE SALMONSON TO INTERIM DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL

News Release from Office of the Governor May 16, 2013

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie has nominated Genevieve Salmonson to the position of interim director of the state Department of Health (DOH) Office of Environmental Quality Control, effective today. The nomination is subject to state Senate confirmation.

“Genevieve is experienced in working across public and private sectors toward resolution and environmental compliance,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “She will provide strong leadership, particularly in relation to supporting small businesses’ efforts in complying with environmental regulations and law.”

Salmonson previously served as the director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control from 1999 to 2007. Since then, she has served as the DOH Compliance Assistance Office ombudsman and, from 2009 to 2012, as temporary assignment program manager for the DOH Environmental Planning Office.

As ombudsman, Salmonson has assisted small businesses in complying with permitting requirements from environmental management departments, conducted voluntary site assessments, led workshops, and worked as a neutral mediator with government and businesses representations in investigations and the resolution of disputes.

Prior to that, she was the general manager and senior vice president for Honolulu Recovery Systems, Inc., and vice president and corporate secretary-treasurer for United Tire and Recapping Co., Ltd.

Active in the small business and environmental compliance community, Salmonson is a member of the National Steering Committees of EPA Small Business Ombudsman (Water, Waste and Air), member of the General Contractors Association Subcommittee on the Environment, and member and advisor for the General Contractors Association for the Hawaii Stormwater Risk Management Excellence Program. She has also served on the Hawaii State Emergency Response Commission; State of Hawaii Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals; and various task forces on environmental, recycling and sustainability issues.

Salmonson earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Salmonson is a resident of Nuuanu, Oahu.

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