Governor Rell names Deputy Commissioner at DEP to focus on management of parks and natural resources

Frechette has extensive experience in park and natural resource management

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has named Susan W. Frechette to be a Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Frechette, a veteran Massachusetts environmental official who served nearly two decades in senior level positions managing state parks and natural resources – will start work at DEP April 11. She will be responsible for management of state parks and forests, wildlife and fisheries management and the Environmental Conservation Police force.

“Susan has dedicated her career to protecting natural resources and improving outdoor recreational opportunities for the public,” Governor Rell said. “She will now be bringing her expertise and commitment to DEP at just the right moment. Through our ‘Responsible Growth’ and ‘No Child Left Inside’ initiatives, Connecticut is making real progress in preserving the character and beauty of our state and building public support for our park system and tremendous natural resources. We are leading a national movement for families to reclaim the outdoors, and Susan’s experience will help us to make even more progress toward that goal.”

Governor Rell recently submitted a legislative proposal to create a new program that will invest $15 million in the state’s park and forest system.

DEP Commissioner Gina McCarthy said, “Susan has the management skills and hands-on experience needed to help DEP deliver critical services in ways that meet the changing and complex needs of our state. She is familiar with the challenges of operating state parks and also of protecting and managing natural resources such as open space and water resources. She has a record as a creative manager and is someone who understands how to use government resources effectively in difficult financial times.”

Frechette, who lives in Harvard , Mass. , is currently a senior policy analyst for the Product Stewardship Institute and a consultant to Durant and Anastas Environmental Strategies, both based in Boston. Prior to that, she served as Acting Deputy Commissioner for Administration and Finance with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. In that position she was responsible for establishing policies and programmatic initiatives for a newly created agency charged with managing the state’s park system.

Frechette had previously held a number of senior positions from 1991 to 2003 with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management, including Deputy Commissioner for Resource Conservation, Deputy Commissioner for Administration and Finance and Chief of Staff. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colby College , Waterville , Maine .

By Governor Rell’s office

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