Jonathan P. Steverson has been named secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, effective Dec. 29, 2014.
Steverson is currently serving as executive director of the Northwest Florida Water Management District where he has been since 2012.
Under his leadership, the district made progress in areas including the protection of the Apalachicola River and Bay watershed, springs restoration and preservation, and water supply development.
Prior to that, Steverson served at the department from 2011 to 2012 as special counsel on policy and legislative affairs. He also served in the Executive Office of the Governor from 2005 to 2009 in multiple roles including environmental policy coordinator.
He replaces Herschel Vinyard, Jr., who recently resigned as DEP's chief.