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Richard E. Greene Appointed EPA Region 6 Administrator

Release Date: 3/17/2003
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman today announced the appointment of Richard E. Greene, of Arlington, Texas, as Regional Administrator for Region 6, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The appointment is effective March 31, 2003.

“Richard Greene is a welcome addition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency senior management team,” Administrator Whitman said. “His vast experience in urban issues, new technology and scientific research, and creating public/private partnerships will help us better protect public health and the environment.”

As Regional Administrator, Greene will be responsible for overseeing federal environmental programs throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Greene served an unprecedented five-terms as mayor of Arlington, Texas from 1987 to 1997. Before being elected mayor, Greene served on the Arlington City Council for two terms, and was Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission for nine years. After leaving the mayor’s office, he was the associate publisher of the Arlington Star-Telegram.

He most recently served as executive director of the Arlington Technology Incubator, a joint venture between the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the University of Texas at Arlington created to move products from the lab to the market place. He also helped secure $2.3 million for workforce development and planning the construction of a facility to house emerging young technology companies that conduct research in the fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology. He has been an adjunct professor with the University of Texas at Arlington.

“I'm proud to be selected for this important post to be a part of President Bush’s administration,” Greene said. “As EPA Regional Administrator, I look forward to assisting local government leaders--often the primary service providers of environmental protection to communities--to identify new cost-effective ways of achieving the nation’s health-based standards. By advancing high-tech opportunities in scientific research and technology, we can help communities successfully face emerging environmental challenges while strengthening our local economy and creating rewarding jobs. It is an honor to serve the President and the Administrator and work together to promote sound science and environmental protection.”

Greene also served for two years as President and CEO of the region’s effort to win the rights to host the Olympic games in the year 2012 where he involved college students in conducting environmental research of 38 sites included in the committee’s bid.

Greene is a 1965 graduate of the School of Business, The University of Louisiana at Monroe with a B.S. degree in business administration. He is also a 1968 graduate of The School of Mortgage Banking at Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.

Greene's wife, Sylvia, was named Woman of the Year by the Star-Telegram in 1995. She was appointed to the Trinity River Authority Board of Directors in 1997 by Governor Bush, and appointed to the Johnson Creek Committee by the Arlington City Council. She is a founder and current director of the River Legacy Foundation, and has been involved in the PTAs at the statewide level.