REGION — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has promoted Martin D. Brand to lead its Region 3 office in New Paltz. As the new regional director, Brand will oversee all agency efforts in Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.

“Martin Brand will call upon his three decades of work experience in a myriad of environmental areas including environmental site investigation, remediation and solid and hazardous waste regulations,” Commissioner Martens said.

Most recently, Brand served as DEC’s regional materials management supervisor in Region 3. Brand’s efforts over the past two years have concentrated on reducing a permit backlog; helping local planning units complete local solid waste management plans; raising the public profile of the program and increasing efficiency, compliance and recycling rates. Brand also worked in DEC’s division of remediation as a remedial projects manager and in the division of Solid and Hazardous Waste as an assistant engineering geologist. He earned a Bachelor of Science in geology from Texas A&M University.