TRENTON, NJ – Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has announced her nomination of Ed Potosnak to serve as the next Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, selecting a seasoned environmental advocate and policy expert to head the state’s top environmental agency.
Potosnak, currently the Executive Director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, will take charge of the state’s efforts to strengthen flood resilience, clean up toxic PFAS chemicals, and remediate contaminated sites. The incoming Sherrill-Caldwell Administration has emphasized a focus on balancing environmental protection with economic growth by streamlining permitting processes and reducing bureaucratic delays.
“Ed Potosnak is a proven leader who will be critical in our efforts to protect residents from flooding and extreme weather and to cut through red tape to reduce permitting times,” Sherrill said in a statement. “He brings the experience needed to deliver solutions that protect our environment while supporting New Jersey’s economic future.”
A Franklin Township councilmember and former school board president, Potosnak has long been recognized as one of New Jersey’s leading voices on clean energy and sustainability. He also serves as Co-Chair of the New Jersey Keep It Green Coalition, state lead for the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, and as a board member of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.
Before his policy career, Potosnak taught high school chemistry and ran a home improvement business as a licensed contractor. His early dedication to education and science earned him the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship, where he helped shape national education and science policy on Capitol Hill.
As DEP commissioner, Potosnak will oversee programs aimed at protecting New Jersey’s air, land, and water while ensuring the department operates efficiently for residents and businesses.
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill named environmental leader Ed Potosnak as her choice to serve as New Jersey’s next DEP Commissioner, signaling a focus on resiliency, clean energy, and efficiency.