1/17/2003

WV DEP Press Release 

Callaghan resigns as DEP secretary

CHARLESTON-- Secretary Michael O. Callaghan resigned today as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. Callaghan was appointed by Gov. Bob Wise on February 13, 2001, to serve as the agency's lead director.

"Secretary Callaghan has done an exceptional job in taking a previously dysfunctional agency and restructuring it into an agency that truly serves the people of West Virginia," Wise said. "Secretary Callaghan has been a tremendous asset to this administration. His energy and dedication to working out problems and finding solutions have been critical in the progress we have made with the Department of Environmental Protection."

Secretary Callaghan will take a position next week as the Chair-Designee and Communications Director of the West Virginia Democratic Party.

"I am entering into yet another great opportunity to continue to serve the people of West Virginia in this role," said Callaghan.

Stephanie Timmermeyer will serve as Acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. Timmermeyer currently serves as the Director of the Division of Air Quality.