Donna Perla Email & Phone Number

Mullett Lake, Michigan

Michigan, United States

Working locally, regionally, and throughout the Great Lakes Basin, dedicated to protecting Northern Michigan's lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater through respected advocacy, innovative education, technically sound water quality monitoring, thorough research and restoration actions.

Administrator'S Office, Washington, Dc

Led Committee members and other agricultural and environmental experts in developing recommendations to the Administrator on agricultural environmental issues, including nutrient management and its impacts on water quality and soil health.EPA Liaison with U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Agriculture on developing a federal inter-agency Bioeconomy Initiative under the inter-agency Biomass Research and Development Board, working with senior leadership at EPA, DOE, and USDA.

Office Of Research And Development

Advised the Deputy Administrator, the Assistant Administrator, EPA's Science Advisor, and the Director of Sustainability Programs, on technical and policy issues related to waste-to-energy and sustainable production and use of biofuels and implications of energy and agricultural statutes on EPA research.Was EPA Liaison, representing EPA's Assistant Administrator on the inter-agency Biomass Research and Development Board. Coordinated closely with EPA regions and program offices on issues related to development and sustainability of the inter-agency Bioeconomy Initiative.Originated and co-led development of EPA's Biofuels Strategy; Led an Energy Sub-Committee under EPA's National Advisory Council on Environmental Policy and Technology leading to recommendations to the Administrator on priority issues and actions related to EPA's role in environmentally sustainable biofuels production and use.Developed and managed a $5 million budget to launch a new ORD biofuel research program.Co-developed a Biomass Summit with EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality to implement a plan for managing 'blowdown' and woody debris resulting from Hurricane Katrina, working with USDA's Forest Service, U.S. Department of Interior, State Forestry Departments, and state economic development, agricultural and industry representatives.

Natural Resource Conservation Service, Washington D.C. Metro Area

Managed Division responsible for developing and implementing financial assistance programs and maintenance of financial management business tools for the Natural Resource Conservation Service's $3 Billion budget. Coordinated efforts with the Resource Economics Analysis and Policy (REAP) Division, the Resource Assessment Division, and the Conservation Effects Assessment Project to assess performance measures for environmental, economic, and social outcomes of conservation practices.

Office Of The Chief Scientist; Research, Education And Economics; Washington, D.C.

Coordinated and prioritized scientific efforts based on analyses of current and emerging issues related to renewable energy, natural resources, and the environment across USDA as well as with partners in the scientific community, including: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the Department of Transportation, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Academies of Science, Land Grant Universities and renewable energy industries.Led the development of USDA strategic goals for research in sustainable development and use of biofuels.Led the development of USDA's contribution to the White House's "National Bioeconomy Blueprint" and the Office of the Chief Scientist's document, "The Bioeconomy and Agricultural Research" summarizing USDA agricultural research contributing to economic growth through developing bioproducts.

Office Of The Administrator, Washington, Dc

Managed Division and oversight of EPA's Project XL Program and the Environmental Council of States (ECOS) Joint EPA/State Agreement to Pursue Regulatory Innovation. Negotiated regulatory flexibility for roughly 50 innovative projects with senior EPA managers, Deputy Commissioners of State environmental protection agencies and corporate senior managers and counsels to achieve superior environmental results under the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Toxic Substances and Control Act, Pollution Prevention Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and Clean Air Act.

Office Of Solid Waste, Washington, Dc

Directed development of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act's (RCRA) National Waste Minimization Action Plan - establishing waste minimization as a fourth and preferred option in the national hazardous waste management hierarchy. Also responsible for financial management and development of human capital.Developed a national waste minimization voluntary program, working with industrial manufacturers, to reduce generation of hazardous wastes.

Epa Region 8, Denver, Colorado

Supervised staff responsible for remediation and negotiation of hazardous waste cleanup remedies under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Superfund authorities.Led a partnership with the Western Governors' Association and EPA Regions 6, 8, 9 and 10 involving fourteen western states, to successfully meet a Congressionally mandated deadline to submit required Capacity Assurance Plans for management of these States' hazardous wastes.

Office Of Solid Waste, Washington, Dc

Managed staff responsible for multiple, complex regulatory impact analyses (cost/benefit analyses) for proposed and final hazardous and solid waste regulations.

Office Of Solid Waste, Washington, Dc

Advised Office Director on hazardous and solid waste regulatory development and implementation considerations.Was Congressional liaison; prepared testimony for the Assistant Administrator and Office Director for Congressional Hearing on the "Garbage Barge' issue.

Executive Leadership Coaching Certificate, Institute For Transformational Leadership

Key Executive Leadership Certificate Program, Executive Leadership

Master’S Degree, Master'S Degree In Public Health, With An Emphasis In Environmental Health

Bachelor’S Degree, Bachelor Of Science In Biology