Keystone Today

Gov. Wolf announced that Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Patrick McDonnell is leaving his position on July 2, and Ramez Ziadeh, P.E. will come on as the acting secretary.

McDonnell has worked with the DEP since 1998 and has served as secretary since 2016, according to a press release by Wolf’s office on May 23.

“Patrick’s dedication to protecting our commonwealth’s environment has been a decades-long commitment at DEP, and I am grateful for his service,” Wolf said. “Through his leadership, we are taking significant action to address climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect our waterways, and ensure that contaminated lands are cleaned up and repurposed so that our communities can enjoy these spaces once again.”

McDonnell was also the DEP director of policy and has run the State Energy Office. He was the DEP deputy secretary for the administration where he oversaw the agency budget and human resources. For three years he was the executive policy manager for former Public Utility Commissioner Pamela A. Whitmer. He has also had a variety of roles with the Environmental Council of States (ECOS).

“I’m so honored to have served Governor Wolf and lead a tremendous and dedicated staff at DEP, all of whom work hard every day — whether in the office, out in the community and even in our waters — to protect Pennsylvania’s abundant natural resources,” McDonnell said. “From our litter cleanups to improving our permitting processes to taking unprecedented steps to address climate change, I’m proud of the work we’ve been able to accomplish. Thank you, Governor Wolf, and thank you to all my colleagues at DEP for prioritizing protecting our environment.” 

Ziadeh has been the executive deputy secretary of programs at the DEP since 2017. He was also the director of the Bureau of Waterways Engineering and Wetlands; a licensed engineer in Pennsylvania and California; and has 28 years of experience. Ziadeh has been with the DEP since 1994.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve with Secretary McDonnell, and I am committed to upholding the high standards he set for the office and for the department,” Ziadeh said. “I look forward to working with Governor Wolf to ensure that Pennsylvanians have clear air, clean water, and healthy communities.”