Acting Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Ed Potosnak announced the appointment of Joseph Seebode as the agency’s new deputy commissioner. A veteran environmental engineer with over 40 years of experience, Seebode returns to the DEP to serve as second-in-command, tasked with spearheading the Sherrill Administration’s aggressive climate and infrastructure goals.
Seebode’s appointment marks a “homecoming” to the DEP, where he previously served as an assistant commissioner from 2003 to 2006. He most recently served as the deputy district engineer and chief of programs and project management for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District, overseeing major civil works and military construction across New York, New Jersey and Greenland.
Seebode is widely recognized for his leadership during some of the region’s most challenging environmental crises. At the Army Corps, he was a primary leader in the post-Hurricane Sandy recovery, managing emergency dredging, debris removal, and the unwatering of flooded transit tunnels.
Notable Career Highlights:
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Port Deepening: Oversaw the $2.1 billion project to deepen the Port of New York and New Jersey navigation channels to 50 feet, which was completed under budget and utilized 100% of dredged materials for environmental restoration.
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Emergency Response: Led response teams following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, coordinating search and rescue support and debris management.
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Richard J. Sullivan Award: Just two months ago, in December 2025, Seebode received this prestigious honor for his lifetime of service in coastal resilience and sustainable water management.
Potosnak emphasized that Seebode’s “on-the-ground” experience will be vital in executing Governor Sherrill’s recent executive orders aimed at tackling rising energy costs and accelerating renewable energy deployment.
A central part of Seebode’s mandate will be permitting reform. The administration is seeking to reduce turnaround times for critical infrastructure—such as solar farms, battery storage, and modernized grid connections—while maintaining strict environmental and public health protections.
“Joe’s wealth of knowledge in building and growing partnerships will be critical to ensuring the protection of our air, land, water, and natural resources,” Potosnak said.
“I am excited to return to DEP and work with its deeply talented team,” Seebode said. “From coastal resilience to brownfields redevelopment, the projects and policies we undertake today will protect and strengthen our environment for future generations.”
