Our People

Officers

CHAIR: Emma Cimino, Connecticut

Deputy Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
Emma Cimino is the Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Quality at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). She was appointed to this position in November, 2023. As Deputy Commissioner, Emma provides leadership for the three bureaus within DEEP’s EQ Branch - Air Management, Water Protection and Land Reuse (WPLR), and Materials Management and Compliance Assurance (MMCA). Emma joined DEEP from the office of U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, where she led the Senator’s work on energy, environment, and infrastructure issues, including work on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. Prior to the Senate, Emma worked as a Senior Policy Advisor at the National Governor’s Association. She began her state service working for former Governor Dan Malloy, serving as a Director of Government Affairs. Emma also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer from 2009-2011, during which she taught English in the Philippines.

VICE CHAIR: Richard Jackson, District of Columbia

Director, District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment
Richard Jackson is the Director of the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). He provides strategic guidance and leadership to a workforce of more than 450 environmental professionals and oversees the daily operations of five administrations that work collaboratively to protect the environment and conserve natural resources in the District of Columbia. He joined DOEE in 2008 as a hazardous waste inspector in the Environmental Services Administration (ESA). Prior to his appointment as director, he served as senior deputy director -- the second in command at DOEE. Richard spent 21 years with the U.S. Navy as a nuclear submariner operating nuclear reactors, power generation and propulsion systems, and maintaining weapons systems. He is a proud U.S. veteran.

TREASURER/SECRETARY: Melanie Loyzim, Maine

Commissioner, Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Melanie Loyzim is the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP). She has been with the agency since 2006, and has served in a variety of roles including underground tank inspector, air toxics and emissions inventory program manager, director of Bureau of Air Quality and the Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management, and most recently as deputy commissioner. Prior to her tenure at Maine DEP, she worked for Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment in its emissions inventory program and as a rule writer. She also has experience as an Environmental, Health and Safety Consultant, a Site Health and Safety Officer, and 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) trainer.

MANEVU CHAIR: Vacant

Staff

Paul Miller

Executive Director
pmiller @ nescaum.org

Alex Karambelas

Modeling, Stationary & Area Sources, and MANEVU TSC
akarambelas @ nescaum.org

Jesse Way

Mobile Sources
jway @ nescaum.org