Ohio EPA Director's Office Staff
To contact any of the Director’s Office staff by e-mail, click on their individual e-mail link. To view a full biography for each senior staff member, please click on their name. To reach the Director’s Office by phone, call (614) 644-2782. Our mailing address is:
Ohio EPA - Director’s Office
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
Chris Korleski, Director - Governor Ted Strickland appointed Chris Korleski as director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) on February 1, 2007. He is responsible for the protection of Ohio’s air, land and water resources. Prior to his appointment as director, Korleski served as counsel to Honda of America Mfg., Inc. in Marysville, Ohio, providing comprehensive advice and representation in the areas of environmental, safety and HAZMAT law since 1996. (email)
Laura Powell, Assistant Director - Laura Powell was reappointed as assistant director by Director Korleski in February 2007. Powell assists the director in overseeing key program activities and establishing Agency priorities to protect Ohio's air, land and water resources. Powell also oversees the Agency's legislative efforts and policy anrule development. (email)
Drew Bergman, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs - Director Chris Korleski appointed Drew Bergman as Deputy Director for Legal Affairs in February 2007. Bergman manages Ohio EPA’s legal office, supervises Ohio EPA’s enforcement program and acts as the Agency’s chief legal counsel. He is Ohio EPA's designee on the Ohio Water Development Authority, Ohio Power Siting Board and the Energy Advisor's Strategy Team. Bergman also helps direct the Agency's energy and climate change policies. (email)
Melissa Fazekas, Deputy Director of Communications - Melissa Fazekas was named deputy director for communications in January 2007. Fazekas coordinates communications planning for the Agency and oversees the Public Interest Center and Office of Environmental Education. (email)
Laurie Stevenson, Deputy Director for Business Relations - Laurie Stevenson serves as the Agency's ombudsman in assisting regulated entities with problem-solving related to permitting and regulatory issues. She also serves as as a primary contact for regulated entities to help coordinate permitting activities within the Agency, particularly for complex projects requiring multiple permits. In addition, she serves as an Agency contact to help coordinate compliance assistance-related education and outreach activities. She also acts as the Agency's ombudsman in assisting regulated entities with problem-solving related to permitting and regulatory issues.(email)
Don Starr, Chief of the Office of Labor and Safety - Don Starr is responsible for the Agency’s labor relations program including hearing grievances and discipline issues, co-chairing the statewide Labor Management Committee, and presenting cases involving mediation and arbitration. He also supervises the Agency’s safety program, which includes field safety and training, central office safety and Workers’ Compensation. Starr was Labor and Training Manager at Ohio State Parks for 25 years before joining Ohio EPA in August 2005. He has a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and is an Ohio Certified Public Manager. (email)
Beth Wolf, Agency Safety Program Coordinator – Beth Wolf is responsible for facility safety, including evacuation plans and coordinating workers’ compensation claims to ensure compliance with all applicable Public Employee Risk Reduction Program requirements. She co-chairs the Statewide Health and Safety Labor/Management Committee, which discusses safety issues affecting the Agency. Wolf oversees the Agency’s Occupational Medical Screening Program, which contracts with local clinics to give field staff routine physical exams. She also oversees the Agency’s OSHA Refresher training to ensure compliance with applicable regulations for the field staff. Wolf started with the Agency in 1978 and has been the safety coordinator since 1996. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University. (email)
John Vlasko, Agency Field Safety Program Coordinator – John Vlasko is responsible for coordinating the Agency-wide field safety and health program to ensure compliance with all applicable OSHA and Public Employee Risk Reduction Program requirements. Vlasko is also the Chemical Hygiene Officer for the Division of Environmental Services and the Safety Officer for the Evidence Response Team (ERT). He is located at the Groveport Field Office. (email)
Christine Snider, Executive Assistant to the Director - As the director's executive assistant, Chris Snider is responsible for assisting the director in a wide variety of areas including scheduling, correspondence and phone inquiries. She also acts as a liaison to the public, regulated facilities, other government agencies, the Governor's Office and Ohio EPA staff in an effort to address environmental and administrative concerns.(email)
Tracy Freeman and Charlotte Hickcox, Legislative Liaisons - Ms. Freeman and Ms. Hickcox serve as liaisons to the legislature and the Governor's office on environmental issues. They represent the Agency before the Legislature and respond to questions and concerns from legislators.(email Tracy)(email Charlotte)
Bob Knipmeyer, Liaison to State and Local Agencies -The liaison for local and state agencies participates on workgroups with local governments and state agencies whose responsibilities coincide with Ohio EPA, and provides information about environmental compliance for use by other state agencies in grant/loan/tax credit programs.(email)
Mandi Payton, Rules Coordinator - Provides oversight of Agency rule review and processing. Acts as the primary Agency contact with the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.(email)
Rich Bouder, Public Records Manager - Mr. Bouder serves as the primary Central Office contact for public records requests. He also analyzes and evaluates records management programs, procedures and policies throughout the Agency and ensures Agency compliance with State and Federal public records requirements.(email)