Jim Macy Appointed to EPA Region 7 Administrator
Former NDEE director to lead EPA’s Heartland Region
February 6, 2025
Contact Information
Jonathan Klusmeyer
(klusmeyer.jonathan@epa.gov)
913-313-2991
LENEXA, KAN. (FEB. 6, 2025) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that President Trump has appointed Jim Macy to become EPA Region 7 administrator. Macy will lead the implementation of the president’s environmental agenda in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations.
“With decades of experience working to protect our energy and environment, Jim Macy is the right person at the right moment to lead Region 7,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “I am proud to have him on team EPA and know that he will help exceptionally implement President Trump’s agenda across the region.”
“It is an honor to be appointed by President Trump to implement a common-sense approach to protecting clean air, water, and land, while promoting economic development,” Macy said. “Under Administrator Zeldin’s leadership, I will work with Region 7 staff, our state and tribal partners, and community stakeholders to expand environmental stewardship and conservation efforts across our region.”
“I am so pleased to welcome Jim to the Region 7 team,” said Deputy EPA Region 7 Administrator Edward H. Chu. “He brings nearly 40 years of environmental protection experience to this role and is nationally recognized for his environmental leadership and commitment to strengthening EPA’s relationship with the states.”
Prior to joining EPA, Macy was appointed by then-Governor Pete Ricketts to lead the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality in 2015. In 2018, Macy also served as the interim director of the Nebraska Department of Energy, guiding the merger of these two agencies to become the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) in 2019.
Prior to joining NDEE, Macy spent nearly 30 years at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR). At MoDNR, he served in various roles, including regional director of the Kansas City Regional Office and director of the Financial Assistance Center. From 2019 to 2020, Macy also served as the president of the Environmental Council of the States.
Macy and his wife have two children and one grandchild. He enjoys the outdoors and is an avid fly fisher.
What They Are Saying
U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (NE): “Jim Macy is a great choice to lead the EPA’s Midwest Region. As director of the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy when I was governor, he cleaned our environment, streamlined permit times, and promoted economic development. He will help President Trump and Administrator Zeldin restore a more balanced EPA.”
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (NE): “I am excited that Jim Macy will take on this appointment. Through his years of service at the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, he has a great track record of implementing common-sense policy. I look forward to working with him in this role.”
U.S. Representative Sam Graves (MO-06): “I’m excited to see Jim taking over the reins at EPA Region 7. He’s got decades of experience working with farmers, ranchers, and landowners in both Missouri and Nebraska. Jim is a proven leader who knows the EPA works best when it works with farmers and ranchers, instead of attacking them. I can’t think of a better choice to help President Trump and Administrator Zeldin roll back burdensome regulations, like the last administration’s WOTUS overreach, and implement a common-sense approach to protecting clean air, water, and land.”
U.S. Representative Mike Flood (NE-01): “President Trump has made a great selection in Jim Macy. Jim brings broad experience as a regulator who listens to stakeholder input, while being a good steward of our natural resources and keeping our communities safe. His time working in Nebraska and across the Midwest means he understands the issues that matter most to our ag and manufacturing sectors. Congratulations to Jim – I look forward to working with him in this new role.”
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon: “We’ve had the pleasure of working with Jim for several years in Missouri and Nebraska. He deeply understands the environmental issues facing this region, and we look forward to working with him at EPA.”
Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Kurt Schaefer: “We in Missouri look forward to partnering with Jim in bringing greater focus to compliance assistance as we manage the natural resources of our state. Jim spent several years at MoDNR, so he is familiar with many of the issues we face and will be ready to hit the ground running. Jim’s focus on customer service will serve him well as he takes the helm at EPA Region 7.”
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