Governor McCrory Selects Next Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory announced today that he has selected Donald van der Vaart as the next secretary for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Van der Vaart currently serves as deputy secretary and energy policy advisor for the agency. Van der Vaart replaces John E. Skvarla, whom Governor McCrory has named to lead the N.C. Department of Commerce when Secretary Sharon Decker leaves at the end of December.

    "Don van der Vaart possesses extensive knowledge of environmental regulations and will continue DENR's focus on protecting our environment while helping to maintain the economic resurgence that our state has seen since 2013," said Governor McCrory. "Van der Vaart's scientific and academic credentials alone are remarkable, but he also has the real-world experience to ensure that North Carolina continues to implement common-sense solutions based on science."
Donald van der Vaart was selected as the next secretary for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources: Above.
    Van der Vaart was a longtime manager in the department before he was named deputy secretary. He has an extensive background in energy, environmental and regulatory work in academia, state government and the private sector.

    "I am privileged to take on this role after serving the department in various capacities over the past 20 years," said Dr. van der Vaart. "My background is in engineering and environmental regulation, and as secretary I will focus on DENR's core mission of environmental protection and augmenting our citizens' understanding of our state's abundant and unique natural resources."

    Before serving as deputy secretary and energy policy advisor, van der Vaart worked as an engineering supervisor and later a program manager for the N.C. Division of Air Quality. He is an adjunct professor in engineering at N.C. State University, where he also teaches environmental policy and law. His previous work includes scientific research at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and at Research Triangle Institute (now RTI International). Van der Vaart has also worked in the energy and utility sectors.

    Van der Vaart holds a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Cambridge (England), a law degree from North Carolina Central University, a master's degree in chemical engineering from N.C. State University and a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has published numerous technical and legal articles and holds two patents. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and has two grown children.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov