News

Central Pine Barrens Planning and Policy Commission gets new executive director

Suffolk County parks commissioner
John Pavacic was named executive director of the Central Pine Barrens
Joint Planning and Policy Commission this week.

Mr. Pavacic will
replace former director Ray Corwin, who died suddenly last month. Mr.
Pavacic’s appointment was supported unanimously by the commission May
19.

“John’s keen knowledge of Suffolk County’s environment,
ability to manage staff and large budgets and his expert knowledge of
the Central Pine Barrens makes him a great choice for the Executive
Director position at the Central Pine Barrens Commission,” said James
Gaughran, chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority, the group
charged with appointing the executive director, in a press release.

The
Central Pine Barrens Commission is a public entity established pursuant
to the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act of 1993. The
commission’s annual budget is $1.1 million, and has a staff of eight
full-time employees including planners, educators and environmental
resources managers. The executive director is responsible for
implementing the Central Pine Barrens Comprehensive Land Use Plan,
managing commission staff, and defining and guiding the continuing
evolution of the commission.

Prior to serving as county parks commissioner, Mr. Pavacic served 10 years as a regional permit administrator for the DEC.

DEC regional director Peter Scully said he is pleased with Mr. Pavacic’s appointment.

“Finding
a qualified individual with the knowledge and experience to fill this
important position was no small challenge,” said Mr. Scully, who also
serves as chairman of the commission, in a press release. “But we have
succeeded in finding a person who has worked for decades to protect the
Pine Barrens, and has a well-earned reputation as a very hard worker of
great integrity.”

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