Chris Catechis, Ma Email & Phone Number

Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States

Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

The Resource Protection Division (RPD) Director serves at the pleasure of the Governor, and works closely with the Cabinet Secretary, Deputy Cabinet Secretaries and other Division Directors and Deputy Directors. The RPD Director maintains a robust portfolio while supporting the Department and Division priorities, goals and deadlines. This position directly manages and supports the Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, Petroleum Storage Tank, and Department of Energy Oversight Bureaus that collectively includes the equivalent of 146 full-time equivalents (FTEs). RPD’s budget is approximately $16.5M which consists of state general fund, federal grants, and state special revenue funds.The RPD Director takes a leadership role in protecting New Mexico’s land, air and water by developing environmental management policy and directing resources and operational activities in close collaboration with the RPD Deputy Director. Additional responsibilities include leading collaboration with stakeholders; initiating, reviewing, and drafting legislation; informing and advising board members and/or legislators; and serving as the Department representative to outside parties on priority environmental and public health protection matters. Specific projects include overseeing and coordinating hazardous waste management and corrective action activities at federal facilities across the state, including U.S. Department of Energy facilities including Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL), Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), and U. S. Department of Defense facilities such as Kirtland, Cannon, and Holloman Air Force Bases, including on-going litigation actions. This position also coordinates Division efforts on perfluorinated compound (PFAS) related activities and oversees implementation of Division programs to protect and restore New Mexico’s natural resources, particularly ground and surface water sources that may be used for drinking water.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

Supports the day-to-day functions and mission critical endeavors of the Resource Protection Division (RPD), including employee development of approximately 146 personnel to ensure regulated waste, including hazardous and infectious waste such as COVID-19 contaminated waste, is properly managed and disposed and to remediate and monitor New Mexico's soil and water quality. As Deputy Director Mr. Catechis develops RPD and Bureau Strategic Plans, as well as develops and oversees implementation of RPD-wide strategies and efficiency measures. He supports RPD operations across all Bureaus including the Hazardous Waste Bureau, Solid Waste Bureau, Petroleum Storage Tank Bureau, and Department of Energy Oversight Bureau; to provide continuity of leadership and operations by managing the Division.

Managed the day to day operations for the Department of Energy Oversight Bureau (DOE-OB) which includes decisions regarding personnel; financial and budgetary tasks; operations and administrative activities for three field office locations (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Additionally, ensured that the three field offices are providing verifiable data by developing quality control measures and work plans for multimedia data sampling programs that include groundwater, stormwater, air, and biological monitoring. Further responsibilities include the coordination and negotiation of Agreement in Principle (AIP) and associated grants with the DOE through development of strategic plans, prioritization of Bureau projects, and development of budget plans to support grant funding.

Santa Fe, New Mexico Area

Managed the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) overseeing a staff of 38 personnel and an annual budget of four million dollars. Was directly responsible for all hiring and employee development as well as disciplinary actions. Developed policies and procedures, the annual budget, strategic plans, and overall direction of the office. Additionally, Mr. was the main liaison to the New Mexico Legislature and Governor’s office; overseeing and tracking legislative priorities for the OSA.

Albuquerque, New Mexico Area

SNL NEPA Subject Matter Expert (SME): completed over 1,398 DOE NEPA checklists. Was responsible for assisting SNL Project Managers, Environmental Safety & Health (ES&H) Coordinators, Facilities Strategic Planners, and Environmental Compliance Coordinators with NEPA concerns, which might arise, in project development and day-to-day lab activities. These activities often involve preparing NEPA documents for the DOE and United States Air Force. As such, developed effective working relationships with DOE Sandia Field Office Subject Matter Experts and Kirtland Air Force Base personnel in order to expedite the review and approval process for proposals. Integrating NEPA into SNL Project Planning (ENV 121-1): Developed and instructed this four-hour class, which provides a comprehensive overview of the NEPA Act of 1970 and how to integrate NEPA into SNL project planning. ENV 121-1 is an advanced NEPA class designed for ES&H Coordinators and Environmental Compliance Coordinators.NEPA Module Software Development: Was directly involved with the development and implementation of software designed to be used for NEPA compliance on a site wide basis for SNL. Mr. Catechis interacted with software programmers, SNL NEPA personnel, ES&H coordinators, and Lab Managers to develop user-friendly software that shortens and streamlines the NEPA process at SNL.Integration of SNL California NEPA Process: In 2011, Mr. Catechis was instrumental in integrating the Sandia National Laboratories California Environmental Program and related Subject Matter Experts into the Sandia National Laboratories NEPA process. This involved the coordination of Environmental Programs between the two National Laboratories to merge into a single NEPA process for the review and analyses of proposed Research and Development and other project activities.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Dual Major: Psychology And Political Science

Activities and Societies: Pi Kappa Alpha

Master'S Degree, Organizational Leadership, 3.85