The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) recently said that the Arizona  Department of Administration's (ADOA) general counsel, Bret Parke, has been appointed the agency’s deputy director, marking his return to ADEQ, effective Oct. 26.

In his new position, Parke will serve Director Misael Cabrera as chief of staff, overseeing  budget and administrative functions, among other operations. Parke began his career as an ADEQ staff attorney, becoming its administrative counsel in 2010 and ADOA's general counsel in 2012.

As administrative counsel, Parke was chairman of five committees, managed the agency’s Strategic Enforcement Unit and served as liaison to the Arizona Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee.

As general counsel, Parke consulted with the state in several areas, from procurement and risk management, accounting and finance to construction, IT security and personnel needs. Parke also was chairman of the governor’s Regulatory Review Council, which oversees and approves adoption of state agency rules.

“Bret wore many hats during his eight-year tenure with ADEQ, and his commitment to public service is evident in his 11-year career in Arizona government,” Cabrera said. “It’s Bret’s passion for ADEQ’s mission – his irrepressible drive to do more environmental good – that brings him back to ADEQ.”

Established by the Arizona Legislature under the Environmental Quality Act of 1986, ADEQ is the state agency responsible for protecting and enhancing public health and the environment of Arizona.