ODNR, OEPA Directors Set for Chamber Drive-In

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Members and representatives of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber will meet with the directors of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency during the chamber’s Columbus Drive-In April 10.

Laurie Stevenson, director of the Ohio EPA, most recently was deputy director for business relations at the agency. There, she worked as the primary contact for regulated entities to help with coordinating permitting. She also served as the head of the agency’s division of environmental and financial assistance and as manager of the Ohio EPA Small Business Assistance Office.

Mary Mertz, director of ODNR, served as chief of staff to Gov. Mike DeWine during his time as lieutenant governor, legislative director for former U.S. Rep. Bob McEwen and in the Office of Legislative Affairs in the White House. Mertz also worked with ODNR under former Ohio Gov. George V. Voinovich.

Also on the agenda for the trip are meetings with other agency officials, visits with policymakers and networking opportunities. Among the topics the chamber will discuss with lawmakers are the Drive It Home campaign, Youngstown Air Reserve Station and Camp Garfield, the revitalization of the Mahoning River and the promotion of manufacturing in the Mahoning Valley.

Registration for the Columbus Drive-In, available here, is $250 for chamber members and $500 for nonmembers. The price includes transportation and receptions.

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