As our region, state, nation and globe continue to adjust amid enormous challenges and uncertainties, the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District maintains its focus on protecting our most vital resource: the air we breathe.

For 30 years, the staff and leadership at MDAQMD have continued our cooperative working relationship with regulated industry. We strive to serve as a business-friendly model for air districts across the state and I’m honored for the opportunity to carry on this tradition.

At MDAQMD, teamwork and working hard for our constituents are key factors in reducing unhealthy impacts to the air nearly 600,000 residents breathe.

MDAQMD is the second largest air district geographically in the state. As its Executive Director, I’m always looking for ways to implement improvements — “business as usual” is not my style.

Whether it’s working on new ways to streamline the permitting process, keeping an eye on our air monitoring network during the recent fires or keeping a finger on the pulse of the District’s budget to ensure transparency and continued solvency, it’s all in a day’s work.

Throughout these months that have proved to have an historic impact on businesses, families and the economy, we’ve adapted to keep pace with the world around us. We’ve increased our focus on outreach and air quality education in the digital realm, knowing it’s our duty to raise awareness for the core of our mission.

We also work to actively engage with our regulated industries. When we help businesses understand what’s expected of them and we provide the tools to help them comply – whether these tools are in the form of compliance assistance, grants or just a friendly ear – we all benefit through increased business retention, enhanced economic development and most importantly, a path to improved air quality.

While growth and change are inevitable, our mission statement — "to attain and maintain a healthful environment while supporting strong and sustainable economic growth” — will not change.

We take this mission seriously and it will always be our focus here at MDAQMD.