Mary Walker currently serves as the Executive Director for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council). Created by the RESTORE Act of 2012 and comprised of the Governors of the five Gulf Coast States and Cabinet-level officials from six federal agencies, the RESTORE Council is responsible for restoring and protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, and economy of the Gulf Coast.
Previously, Ms. Walker served as Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 4. In this role, she oversaw environmental protection efforts in the eight southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee, as well as six federally-recognized tribes.
Ms. Walker had served at EPA since 2016. Prior to her appointment as Region 4 Administrator, she served as the Acting Regional Administrator and as Deputy Regional Administrator for Region 4, where she provided leadership to the senior career staff. She also served as the Region 4 Water Protection Division Director from 2016 to 2018, where she implemented and oversaw federal water programs in the Southeast.
Ms. Walker has dedicated her career to public service in the Southeast, having started her career in the Georgia Governor's Office of Planning and Budget and later working in various roles in the Georgia state government. Prior to joining EPA as Water Division Director, Ms. Walker served as Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, where she helped oversee the 750 person environmental regulatory agency.
A coastal Alabama native, Mary earned an undergraduate degree from Tulane University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Georgia.