Award Honors Staff Member’s Dedication to Environmental Issues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 27, 2011
CONTACT: Erin McKenzie
(919) 613-3652
erin.mckenzie@duke.edu
DURHAM, N.C. –The Cape Fear River Assembly recently presented the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions’ Bill Holman with their J.W. Pate Award, a tribute to his contributions to conservation and environmental protection.
The award is given to individuals who exhibit strong leadership on environmental issues, particularly related to water resource and quality matters.
“Bill Holman is the epitome of the target for our award,” said Roger Sheats, the executive director of the Cape Fear River Assembly. “He has devoted his life and career toward the conservation, preservation and restoration of water resources and water quality in North Carolina. The entire state of North Carolina is indebted to Bill for his longstanding dedication to this vital resource, water. The award is but a small recognition of the magnificent contribution that Bill has made toward the protection of water resources in NC.”
The organization’s highest honor for environmental stewardship, it was first given in 1984 in memory of former Fayetteville City Council member J.W. Pate. Pate, Sheats, said is “remembered as an outstanding citizen and community member of Fayetteville with an unusual sensitivity for his time toward environmental issues and the Cape Fear River.”
Holman, director of state policy for the Nicholas Institute, was honored with Pate’s award at the Cape Fear River Assembly’s 38th annual meeting earlier this month.
“I admire Mr. Pate’s conservation efforts,” said Holman, ”and truly appreciate receiving the J.W. Pate Award from the Cape Fear River Assembly.”
At the Institute, Holman has been highly involved in matters surrounding Falls Lake and directs a Water Allocation Research Seminar series intended to inform public discussion and debate about North Carolina water allocation policy. He is also the chairman of the State Water Infrastructure Commission (SWIC), where he works to help identify and prioritize water infrastructure needs and develop a plan for the state to meet those needs.
Prior to joining the Institute in 2007, Holman served six years as executive director of the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund. He previously served as secretary and assistant secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and also has nearly 20 years experience working on environmental policy issues on behalf of the Conservation Council of North Carolina, the North Carolina Chapter of the Sierra Club, the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association, the North Carolina Public Transportation Association and other associations.
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