Holman Named Director of State Division of Air Quality

RALEIGH - Sheila C. Holman has been named director of the N.C. Division of Air Quality and will begin her duties on June 28.

Holman replaces Keith Overcash, who will retire effective June 30. DAQ works with the state's citizens to protect and improve outdoor air quality in North Carolina, through programs for monitoring air quality, permitting and inspecting air emissions sources, developing plans for improving air quality, and educating and informing the public about air quality issues. DAQ also enforces state and federal air pollution regulations.

"Sheila Holman brings a high degree of professionalism and extremely valuable experience to the director's position," said Dee Freeman, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. "She understands the department's new strategic approach to the future and will be a great addition to my senior management team."

Holman has worked at DENR since 1993, and has been deputy director of the Division of Air Quality since August 2008. From 2003 to 2008, she served as chief of the division's Planning section, where she addressed implementation issues of the 1997 8-hour ozone and the fine particulate matter standards in North Carolina. Holman began her tenure at DAQ as chief of the Attainment Planning Branch, where she directed the development of the state implementation plans for the nonattainment areas in North Carolina, and also coordinated the development and implementation of the North Carolina Air Awareness Program. Prior to her work at DENR, Holman worked for the EPA on national policy for ozone and carbon monoxide.

A native North Carolinian, Holman grew up in Ashe County and received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from N.C. State University. She and her husband live in Durham and have two daughters.

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