Washington — President Joe Biden has nominated Chemical Safety Board member Stephen Owens to serve as the agency’s chair and CEO.
If confirmed, Owens would serve a five-year term. Katherine Lemos, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, officially stepped down from the post July 22 after announcing her resignation in June.
Owens, along with Sylvia Johnson, was sworn in as a board member on Feb. 2. The Senate confirmed their nominations in December.
Before joining CSB, Owens was a Phoenix-area attorney focused on environmental, health and safety issues. Prior to that, he was an assistant administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. He also served as director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Owens’ nomination has been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
