Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash announced today that he has selected Anne Vaara of Royal Oak as his new Chief Deputy. She is expected to start in mid-April, filling the vacancy left by Chief Deputy Philip Sanzica, P.E., who is retiring. With over 25 years’ experience as an environmental professional, Vaara has a background in environmental science, stormwater management, government and community relations and planning. She has been the Executive Director of the non-profit Clinton River Watershed Council since 2008. She has an extensive background in environmental land use planning, wetland and woodland assessment and preservation, stormwater and watershed management, and environmental ordinance development.
“Anne is a great planner and environmentalist, and a top notch expert in green infrastructure, stormwater, and water resources,” said Nash. “She’s highly respected in the communities around the region and will be an excellent manager for this organization going forward.”
Prior to her work for the watershed council, Anne was a senior environmental planning consultant for a private consulting firm and previously was the Environmental Director for West Bloomfield Township. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Horticulture and a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Wetland Ecology from Michigan State University. She also studied Urban and Regional Planning at Eastern Michigan University.
“I am honored to become Commissioner Nash’s new Chief Deputy and join his team of dedicated engineers and other professionals to protect our valuable water resources and assist in the advancement of sound environmental solutions for stormwater management. I take a regional approach when it comes to water and working with so many great engineering and planning professionals during my career will really help me serve Commissioner Nash and the people of Oakland County.”
Source: Oakland County Water Resource Commissioner