Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Nancy Miller (507) 280-3590 Rochester, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is pleased to introduce Jeff Connell, the new Southeast Regional Manager. The MPCA Southeast Region includes offices in Rochester and Mankato, and encompasses 20 counties in southeast and south central Minnesota. Connell joined the MPCA in 1992 after completing a bachelor's degree in biology at Winona State University. During his tenure at the agency, Connell has worked in air quality, solid waste, construction stormwater and various cleanup programs. Most recently, he worked in feedlot compliance and characterized that role as an opportunity to "forge relationships with producers that promote compliance through cooperation and partnership." Based in the MPCA's Rochester Office, Connell officially started his new position on Feb. 23, 2005. As regional manager, he provides local support to all of the agency's environmental programs and oversees watershed-based services in the area. Southeast regional staff specialize in a wide range of programs including water quality monitoring, basin planning, impaired waters activities, feedlots, solid waste, hazardous waste, air quality permitting, wastewater, stormwater and emergency response. Connell's diverse background with agency programs will no doubt serve him well in his new role. Currently a student at William Mitchell College of Law, Connell will complete his degree in December 2005. He finds law school "enlightening and appreciates the insights into rulemaking, permitting and regulatory programming" that have resulted from participation in the program. Connell is a native of Winona, Minn. and is excited about returning to the southeast portion of the state on a permanent basis. He replaces Larry Landherr, who retired in 2004.