Governor Selects New DENR Chief

A veteran manager at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been named the agency's next secretary by Gov. Pat McCrory.

 

McCrory announced Tuesday the elevation of Deputy Secretary Donald van der Vaart. He's replacing John Skvarla, who will become the governor's commerce secretary after current Secretary Sharon Decker steps down at the end of the month.

 

Van der Vaart was a manager or supervisor in state environment offices for 20 years before a recent rapid rise. He was named the state's energy policy adviser last January and the department No. 2 leader in August.

 

Van der Vaart has a doctorate in chemical engineering and has taught at North Carolina State University for years.