DRBC names new executive director

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) recently appointed Kristen Bowman Kavanagh as its next executive director, effective Dec. 1.

“The Delaware River Basin Commission does exceptional work managing, protecting and improving water resources in areas throughout the Delaware River Basin, including across portions of New York State that benefit from a coordinated conservation approach,” said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. “New York State congratulates Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, who brings 30 years of experience and expertise in water resources management and engineering to this role. [We] look forward to working with her in this new leadership position to further protect and enhance the Delaware watershed.”

Kavanagh, a registered professional engineer, has served as deputy executive director since 2019, during which she has led the DRBC’s technical and managerial teams in implementing the commission’s water resources programs, forged a partnership with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to advance hazard mitigation and climate resilience, and secured grant funding from the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund to advance scientific studies not otherwise feasible under current budgets.

In March, current DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini announced he will retire Dec. 1. To learn more, visit drbc.gov.