CHICAGO, IL  (09/28/06) -- Mary Gade, an environmental attorney with a wealth of federal, state and private sector experience, has been appointed as regional administrator of U.S. EPA Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin). 

“We are excited to welcome Mary Gade back to EPA Region 5 where she began her impressive environmental career,” said Administrator Stephen L. Johnson in announcing her appointment today. “With over twenty years of experience in environmental regulation and enforcement, Mary is well-prepared to lead the Agency’s largest regional office.” 

Since 1999, Gade has been a partner in the national environmental practice group of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP in Chicago. Gade also served as the director of Illinois EPA under Gov. Jim Edgar. During her eight years there, she was a co-founder of the National Environmental Council of States. 

Before her state tenure, Gade enjoyed a dynamic career at EPA with senior management positions in key environmental areas such as emergency response, Superfund cleanup and pollution prevention. Gade holds a bachelor degree from the University of Wisconsin and a J.D. from the Washington University School of Law. 

Bharat Mathur will resume his position as Deputy Regional Administrator. Region 5 administers federal environmental programs in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.