On January 17, 2010, Doug Domenech (pronounced DOM-en-etch) as Secretary of Natural Resources. “I am honored and humbled to serve in this important role,” said Domenech.
Previously, Doug served in a number of positions at the U.S. Department of Interior from 2001 to 2009 including as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs.
Commenting on his new position, Domenech said, “the Commonwealth’s prosperity is based on both a healthy environment and a sound economy. Clean water and clean air are important to our society, and protecting our abundant natural resources are important as well.”
A forestry and wildlife management graduate from Virginia Tech, Doug has had a career in natural resource management including work for the US Forest Service, ITT Rayonier (a pulp and paper company), as a researcher at Alabama A&M University, and 12 years working for the Forest Resources Association. He was appointed by former Governor George Allen to the Goose Creek Scenic River Advisory Board and the Commonwealth Competition Council. Under former Governor Jim Gilmore he was appointed to the Virginia Board of Forestry.
Prior to his appointment as Secretary, Doug was the Senior Vice President of Artemis Strategies, a Washington, DC based government relations firm and as a principal at Chrysalis Energy Partners, a green energy consulting firm focused on renewable energy issues.
Domenech, whose family is from Puerto Rico, said, “I am proud to lead such a fine group of civil servants and work with Governor McDonnell who has made a commitment to conserve an additional 400,000 acres of open space land, protect the Chesapeake Bay, and development a green energy industry.”
Both Doug and his wife enjoy the outdoors. “We have taken our family hiking and camping all our life. Most recently we traveled to New Zealand to hike the world famous Milford Trek. It was a trip of a life time.” While at Interior he participated in the designation of the largest marine sanctuary in the world, worked to nominate Mount Vernon as a World Heritage site, and relocated endangered loggerhead turtle eggs on a Caribbean island.
“I have the best job in Virginia State government,” said Domenech. “…except for Joe Elton, of course.”
Secretary Domenech had the opportunity to introduce Governor Bob McDonnell to about 100 elementary school students on April 19th who came to Leesylvania State Park in Prince William county to launch a week-long celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Governor McDonnell and Secretary Domenech led the children on a hike along the Potomac River and with their help planted two eastern redbud and one dogwood tree. The message they were bringing to the children was the importance of being good stewards of our Commonwealth and the benefits outdoor recreation provide to mankind. The students were enthusiastic and inquisitive and promised to come back regularly to check on their trees.
