Mary Penny Kelley, a former Senior Adviser for Policy and Innovation at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, will take over as agency director on Monday, following her appointment as Secretary of DEQ by Gov. Roy Cooper.
Kelley was chosen to succeed outgoing DEQ Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser, who is stepping down to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
“Mary Penny Kelley’s long career in environmental law and experience within DEQ make her the right person to lead the department and continue to work to protect North Carolina’s air and water,” Cooper said in a statement announcing Kelley’s appointment. “I appreciate DEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser’s service to our state and her work to help make North Carolina a leader in the fight against PFAS and other harmful forever chemicals. This critical work will continue under Secretary Kelley.”
“I’m honored to serve North Carolina in this important capacity and appreciate Gov. Cooper for trusting me to continue the critical work at DEQ,” Kelley said. “Safe air, land and drinking water are vital for strong communities, healthy families and a growing economy and I look forward to continuing to protect these vital resources and hold polluters accountable.”
Since graduating from North Carolina State University with a degree in biology and Tulane University Law School, Kelley has dedicated her career to environmental work. She is the Special Adviser of Hometown Strong, a state agency that works with rural communities on economic development, education, health care, and community engagement.
Kelley previously served as the Senior Adviser for Policy and Innovation at the Department of Environmental Quality. She began her public service career in 1997 at the North Carolina Department of Justice before serving as Deputy Secretary, among other roles at the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources.
Kelley’s appointment will be effective Sept. 17.
Biser has directed the department’s work since 2021 and has served nationally as the President of the Environmental Council of States.
“I began my career at the Department, and it has been an honor and privilege to return and serve as Secretary,” Biser said. “Under Gov. Cooper’s leadership, we have advanced the fight against forever chemicals, used historic state and federal funding to increase access to clean water and proved that a healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand in hand. None of this would have been possible without the dedicated DEQ team, which I know will continue to carry out our mission.”
