Gov. Paul LePage has nominated Pattie Aho, of Newcastle, for a permanent role as the commissioner of the Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP).
LePage announced his decision in a Sept. 9 press release.
The selection marks the latest step in a quick ascent for Aho, who joined the agency in April as a deputy commissioner before her promotion to acting commissioner in June.
The Maine Senate will likely vote on Aho’s nomination during a special, Sept. 27 session, according to the press release.
“Pattie has been an important leader in making the DEP a stronger and more effective, ‘customer-friendly’ agency,” LePage said in the press release. “We can ensure sustainable economic development in Maine through a balanced stewardship of the state’s natural resources and she has already started to make that happen in her role as acting commissioner.”
A lawyer and former lobbyist, Aho boasts a résumé including periods as an executive at the Maine Oil Dealers Association and the Maine Petroleum Association, respectively.
Aho, a business advocate throughout her career, has also worked for the Maine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Maine Merchants Association.
For the five years previous to joining the DEP, Aho was director of governmental relations for Pierce Atwood Consulting, LLC.
The press release from LePage’s office describes Aho as a leader in environmental advocacy “for over 25 years… active on many of the critical issues facing Maine, including energy efficiency, greenhouse gas and petroleum regulation.”
Aho, a native of Boothbay Harbor, has been active as a volunteer in her hometown and in Newcastle, her home since 1989.
A former Boothbay Harbor selectwoman, she has also served on various municipal and quasi-municipal committees and on the boards of various organizations, including Lincoln County Community Theater.
