Here’s something that slipped by me yesterday.  Thanks to “Navaho” John for the tip.

This sounds like a solid choice.  A lawyer.  No surprise there, but also a long-time local with a load of experience.

COMMISSIONER NAMES JUDY DRABICKI DIRECTOR OF DEC’S REGION 6

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the selection of Judy Drabicki as the Director for DEC’s Region 6 office. Region 6 includes St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and Herkimer counties and more than 150 DEC staff.

“Judy has demonstrated her commitment to the environment both in her years of working as Regional Attorney for Region 6 and also in her private law practice,” Commissioner Grannis said. “She has extensive knowledge of the issues facing the communities both in the Adirondacks and along the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River and will be an excellent leader to help implement our environmental, economic, and recreational goals in the region, and enhancing the services provided to the public. Judy will build upon the strong foundation provided by outgoing Regional Director, Sandy LeBarron, and we thank Sandy for her service to the residents of Region 6 and all New Yorkers.”

Judy Drabicki brings a wide-ranging knowledge about environmental issues, especially in the communities in by Region 6. The region encompasses some of the state’s most diverse communities and unique natural resources, including half of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, the Tug Hill Plateau, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, as well as urban areas in Utica and Rome. She is a seasoned attorney with decades of experience in working on the complex issues facing Adirondack and other North Country communities.

Ms. Drabicki served as DEC’s Regional Attorney in Region 6 for 13 years, and subsequently in private practice with a focus on environmental matters. As a solo practitioner, Ms. Drabicki represented citizen’s groups, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, and individuals in environmental matters, including those involving the Adirondack Park Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and DEC. Noteworthy were her efforts in assisting the Fort La Presentation Company of Ogdensburg in obtaining the satisfactory remediation of property owned by the Fort, which had been contaminated by Exxon-Mobil Corporation. From 1999 to 2000, Ms. Drabicki was an attorney at Rayhill Bankert and Rayhill in Utica where she concentrated on environmental and municipal law.

While at DEC, Ms. Drabicki was responsible for legal matters in the five-county region, and interpreted DEC’s laws and regulations for staff and the public, assisted with enforcement cases, and provided direct legal support for the regional director. Prior to DEC, Ms. Drabicki was an attorney at Legal Services of Central New York, Inc. She graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science and received her law degree from Syracuse University. It is anticipated that she will be starting on May 31, 2007.

Ms. Drabicki will work closely with Elizabeth Lowe, who was recently appointed as Director of DEC’s Region 5, particularly on issues affecting the Adirondacks. They join Suzanne Mattei, Director of Region 2, and William Janeway, Director of Region 3, as the team being assembled by Commissioner Grannis to lead the nine DEC regional offices.