U of L staff member headed pollution control post

Contact:  Jim Carroll 502-564-5525

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 15, 2008) –  Arnita Gadson, of Prospect, has been appointed executive director of the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC), announced Robert Vance, secretary of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.

Gadson has served for the past 11 years as environmental justice coordinator at the University of Louisville’s Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development. As project manager and executive director for the West Jefferson County Community Task Force, she was a liaison between U of L and local businesses, industries and government agencies on air quality issues. Her duties included writing grant proposals, conducting community forums, maintaining a community information center, making public presentations, developing collaborations and partnerships for environmental projects and serving on various advisory boards.

Gadson holds a Master of Arts in management and human resources development from Webster University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in music education from Kentucky State University.

EQC is a seven-member citizen advisory board that works to strengthen the public role in solving environmental problems.