Ohio EPA’s Public Interest Center Staff

Contact Information:

Carol Hester - Chief 

Media Relations Section

The primary responsibilities of this section are to inform the public through the media; they respond to media inquiries; suggest story ideas to reporters; write and distribute news releases; write letters to the editors and columns for the director; and assist employees with media calls. Click here to see a map of the district office boundaries.

Heidi Griesmer - Section Manager, E-Check

Erin Strouse - Central and Southeast Ohio

Mike Settles - Northeast Ohio

Dina Pierce - Northwest Ohio

Heather Lauer - Southwest Ohio

Linda Oros - Statewide Issues 

Public Involvement Section

The primary responsibilities of this section are to act as a liaison between the public and Ohio EPA. They set up, moderate and prepare technical staff for public information sessions; coordinate public hearings; conduct community relations efforts; respond to inquiries from the general public; and solicit public input on various program issues. Click here to see a map of the district office boundaries.

Mary McCarron, Section Manager

Jed Thorp - Central and Southeast Ohio

Vacant (contact Mary McCarron) - Northeast Ohio

Darla Peelle - Northwest Ohio

Erika Wiggins - Southwest Ohio 

Print and Electronic Communications Section

This section provides editing, layout and graphics services for internal and external newsletters, fact sheets, annual reports and brochures; and creates displays for meetings and special events. The section manager serves as the Agency's Web page coordinator, and ensures coordination between print and electronic communications efforts.

Cathryn Allen - Section Manager

Pattie Rhodes-Mehrle - Publications Specialist 

Support Staff

This section provides secretarial and clerical support to the office.

Sharon Stills - Administrative support for Chief and Print and Electronic Communications Section; Fiscal Officer; Speech Library

Ginger Voisard - Administrative support for Public Involvement Section: Public Meeting Materials, Site Mailing Lists

Paula Payne - Administrative support for Media Relations Section: News Releases, News Clips, News Summaries, Media Lists