After nearly two decades in Pinal County air quality management, Scott DiBiase will lead the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality starting Tuesday, officials said.

The new appointee said Pima welcomed the move south as it was “more progressive and greener”.

DiBiase, 53, was Pinal County’s Air Quality Manager for 17 years before becoming the department’s deputy director. In November, DiBiase was appointed interim director of the Pinal County Air Quality Management District.

“I’ve covered all the basics of air quality and built up my experience,” DiBiase said. Mr. DiBiase said he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in 1991 and has “established professional relationships” with many people at PDEQ.

“The program managers are professional, dedicated and want to do the right thing for the environment and the people of Pima County,” he said. “Pinal and Pima are a little different. Pima is more progressive and environmentally friendly, which appealed to me. We have an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the county. , our staff is qualified for that,” DiBiase said.

He will succeed Interim Director Ursula Nelson, former PDEQ Director who returned to the county when Barbara Escobar resigned in January 2023, citing health problems. Nelson plans to retire on August 4 after a brief run-in with DiBiase, sources said.

“We have worked with Scott for many years in his role in Pinal County, and he came to us with a lot of good experience in Arizona,” Nelson said. “He will be a great addition to Pima County.

DiBiase was selected to run the PDEQ following a nationwide search, officials said.

“Despite the many applications, Mr. DiBiase was the most qualified candidate for the position,” County Mayor Jean Lecher wrote in a memo to the Pima County Board of Supervisors.

DiBiase will oversee a division with about 40 employees and an annual budget of more than $1.4 million, officials said. Officials said the ministry’s annual revenue is about $5 million, about half of which comes from issuing permits. The department monitors air quality, drinking water, rainwater, landfills and hazardous waste. The ministry also protects the public through enforcement and solid waste management, and contributes to local communities through educational programs.

Prior to joining Pinal County, he worked as an air quality engineer for the Maricopa Government Association, a meteorologist for the New England Weather Service, an air pollution control engineer for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and an environmental scientist for Tracer Research Corporation. in Tucson.