Wednesday, May 10
Opening Plenary Session
David W. Salyers, P.E., Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation
David Salyers, P.E., was appointed Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Environment by Gov. Bill Lee in January 2019. He previously served as Executive Director of the West Tennessee River Basin Authority for more than two decades where he was recognized as leading one of the most impactful, cost-effective agencies in state government At WTRBA, Salyers was known for effective public-private partnerships, leveraging federal funding and advancing restoration techniques for streams and wetlands.
As TDEC Commissioner, he has led implementation of record capital investment in the Tennessee State Park system and developed the TDEC Reimagined initiative to create flexible, accountable work arrangements to attract, engage and retain the highest performing employees in state government. Salyers represents the Administration and department on priority interagency efforts to improve natural resource management, rural economic development, and outdoor recreation opportunities in Tennessee. He has led high-level executive partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on matters pertaining cleanup on the Oak Ridge Reservation and worked through a variety of multi-state issues with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Salyers has also been a strong advocate for advancing the electric vehicle ecosystem in Tennessee, from partnerships to expand fast-charging networks to the state’s leadership in EV manufacturing and supplier infrastructure.
Prior to his executive experience in state government, Salyers worked in the private sector for more than a decade as an engineer and manager. His career and experience have informed his approach that uses facts, science and a problem-solving mentality to create options that are valid, viable and fair to all involved. Salyers maintains registrations as a professional engineer and geologist. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Murray State and a master’s degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Thursday, May 11
Morning Plenary Session: Data Quality and Scientific Integrity
There are many aspects to Environmental Data Quality and Scientific Integrity, and most environmental professionals consider environmental data quality most important. However, building systems, labs and organizations who need scientific data require more than a lab and a process to evaluate environmental samples. EPA, TDEC, and TVA are involved in critical environmental operations and decisions, with missions of “Protecting Public Health and the Environment,” (EPA), “TDEC exists to enhance quality of life for citizens of Tennessee and to be stewards of our natural environment by: Protecting and improving the quality of Tennessee’s air, land, and water through a responsible regulatory system.” (TDEC), and “Making Life Better for the People of Tennessee Valley through the Integrated Management of the Region’s Resources.” (TVA).
John Blevins of EPA Region 4 Southeast, TDEC Commissioner David Salyers, and Rebecca Tolene of TVA will share their Agency’s Scientific Integrity Perspectives for all to see the structure, mechanics, and operational aspects of creating and implementing Scientific Integrity at their respective Agencies, and how they collaborate and coordinate within these policies to arrive at the best possible decision making.
What is Scientific Integrity?
John Blevins, Director, Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division
EPA Region 4
John Blevins leads the EPA Region 4 Laboratory Services and Applied Science (LSASD) Division as its Director. During John’s service as the LSASD Director, John served as Acting EPA Region 4 Administrator for the Southeast for 1 year and led Region 4 through a smooth transition from the Trump Administration to the current one. John has served in other Senior Leadership capacities in EPA Regions 6 (South Central) and 9 (Southwest) as well as being Senior Advisor for Environmental Management at U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee for two years. John has State experience in addition to his Federal experience. In Delaware, John served three years as Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Air and Waste Management Division. In the State of Oregon John served as Eastern Region Cleanup Manager for two years. Those who work with John characterize him as a strong leader, a listener, and very dedicated to both the EPA mission and those who work there.
David W. Salyers, P.E., Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation
David Salyers, P.E., was appointed Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Environment by Gov. Bill Lee in January 2019. He previously served as Executive Director of the West Tennessee River Basin Authority for more than two decades where he was recognized as leading one of the most impactful, cost-effective agencies in state government At WTRBA, Salyers was known for effective public-private partnerships, leveraging federal funding and advancing restoration techniques for streams and wetlands.
As TDEC Commissioner, he has led implementation of record capital investment in the Tennessee State Park system and developed the TDEC Reimagined initiative to create flexible, accountable work arrangements to attract, engage and retain the highest performing employees in state government. Salyers represents the Administration and department on priority interagency efforts to improve natural resource management, rural economic development, and outdoor recreation opportunities in Tennessee. He has led high-level executive partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on matters pertaining cleanup on the Oak Ridge Reservation and worked through a variety of multi-state issues with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Salyers has also been a strong advocate for advancing the electric vehicle ecosystem in Tennessee, from partnerships to expand fast-charging networks to the state’s leadership in EV manufacturing and supplier infrastructure.
Prior to his executive experience in state government, Salyers worked in the private sector for more than a decade as an engineer and manager. His career and experience have informed his approach that uses facts, science and a problem-solving mentality to create options that are valid, viable and fair to all involved. Salyers maintains registrations as a professional engineer and geologist. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Murray State and a master’s degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Rebecca Tolene, Chief Sustainabilty Officer
Tennessee Valley Authority
Rebecca Tolene serves as the Chief Sustainabilty Officer at TVA, the nation’s largest public power provider. She has over nineteen years of experience in the utility industry and is responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of TVA’s sustainabilty strategy, including its environmental policy, with a core focus on TVA’s commitment to being a leader in creating the clean energy economy of the future. Rebecca has a proven track record of working with teams to develop clear strategies in order to improve business results and employee engagement.
Previously, Rebecca has served as deputy general counsel, and in executive leadership roles with the natural resource division, law enforcement, emergency management, real estate division, corporate board governance, and TVA’s supply chain team.
While serving as Deputy General Counsel, Rebecca developed an attorney progression system along with techniques to better tie the in-house attorneys to the business. Previously, she worked to update TVA’s natural resource strategies and land policies, and oversaw projects each year to protect biodiversity and provide public access and recreation throughout the reservoir system. She also reduced land acquisition and disposal costs by 10% and developed a real property strategy to reflect TVA’s operational needs while working to dispose of excess properties. She worked to strengthen the TVA Police organization, develop physical security plans to meet new regulatory requirements and provide security at our critical infrastructure sites. She also assisted the TVA Board of Directors in establishing best-practices in governance including restructuring board committees and charters to better reflect a strategic review level and supported successful transitions of two CEOs, and led a team in negotiating a resolution to pension system concerns.
Rebecca is a strong believer in building rapport and trust and working alongside teams to deliver meaningful outcomes. In 2019, Rebecca was named the environmental executive and Chief Sustainability Officer for TVA.
Rebecca lives in Knoxville with her husband, James, and two children, Kathryn and William. You can reach Rebecca at rctolene@tva.gov.
Thursday, May 11
Lunch Plenary Session
Empowering Tennessee Communities for Strategic Growth & Targeted Cleanup
Expert voices from the state, local and private sector will inform practitioners and decision-makers how new and existing remediation resources can drive brownfield cleanup and redevelopment activities in a variety of Tennessee locations. This session will cover historic investments in brownfield cleanup and enhancement activities that are part of Gov. Lee’s ConserveTN vision and recently approved in the state’s FY23-24 budget, including funding for:
A focal point will be how new state-administered grant and technical support programs can accelerate remediation and economic development of existing brownfields in urban, non-urban and rural communities. Panelists will discuss how TDEC’s new Brownfield Grant program complements existing resources and provides an additional step and potential leverage for cleanup and redevelopment in a variety of Tennessee communities. Special attention will be placed on the City of Bolivar’s experience with state and federal partners as they have begun to move through the brownfield redevelopment process.
Bart Kempf, Partner
Bradley (website)
Bart practices environmental and economic development law in Bradley’s Nashville and Washington, D.C. offices. His environmental work includes litigation, agency proceedings, enforcement actions, citizen suits, permitting, compliance and legislative counseling, transactions, and brownfield redevelopment. Bart regularly represents clients in front of federal, state, and local environmental, natural resources, and health and safety agencies, including the U.S. EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USDA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Bart also works with Bradley’s nationally recognized Economic Development Practice Group representing private companies and municipalities in negotiating, drafting, and closing economic incentive transactions, including tax increment financings (TIFs), payment in lieu of tax agreement transactions (PILOTs), and economic incentive grants. Prior to joining Bradley, Bart practiced environmental law and worked in the federal government in Washington, D.C. , including service as senior counsel on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, working on environmental, energy, food safety, nominations, and civil rights issues.
Julian A. McTizic, Sr., Mayor
City of Bolivar website
A Bolivar native, Julian A. McTizic, Sr. has served as Mayor for the City of Bolivar since 2017. Mayor McTizic was appointed by EPA Administrator Michael Regan to the U.S. EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee and serves as Vice-Chair of the Small Community Advisory Subcommittee. Mayor McTizic is an Executive Board Member of the Southwest Tennessee Development District and the Hardeman County Joint Economic and Community Development Board. He is State Director of Young Elected Officials for Tennessee and a Paul Harris Fellow in the Bolivar Chapter of Rotary International.
Gregory T. Young, Deputy Commissioner
Bureau of Environment, TDEC website
Greg has served as deputy commissioner for TDEC’s Bureau of Environment since 2019. He has represented the department as lead on priority state economic development initiatives, including development of the historic Blue Oval City project at the West TN Regional Megasite. Before coming to TDEC, he had nearly two decades of experience in practicing environmental law in Tennessee that included environmental permitting, rulemaking, compliance, and enforcement cases. He has a range of expertise in matters involving water quality, air permitting, solid and hazardous waste, and utility regulatory programs and more. Greg’s real world experience and network in brownfield cleanup, restoration and redevelopment activities made him uniquely equipped to lead the development of the Lee Administration’s Clean TN and Rural Brownfield Redevelopment Programs.