NWFWMD Governing Board Appoints New Executive Director

HAVANA - The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board today appointed Brett Cyphers as Executive Director. Cyphers has served as the Assistant Executive Director since June 2012, and will replace Jon Steverson, who was appointed as Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

“Over the past two and a half years, the District has taken significant steps forward in the protection of the water and natural resources of Northwest Florida,” said Governing Board Chairman George Roberts. “Brett has played an integral role in helping advance the mission of the District and the priorities of the Governing Board, and we’re excited to work with him as Executive Director as we continue this progress.”

As Assistant Executive Director, Cyphers spearheaded budget and operational reform efforts at the District, resulting in increased transparency and accountability and the development of a fiscal approach that dedicates more taxpayer funds to projects with the most direct benefit to the natural resources and communities of Northwest Florida.

Since arriving at the District in 2012, Cyphers has worked to implement projects and programs vital to the restoration and protection of priority waterbodies, such as the Apalachicola River and St. Andrew Bay watersheds, as well as the region’s many springs, including Wakulla and Jackson Blue springs. During that time, the District has also expanded its efforts to support local governments and utilities as they work to ensure a clean and reliable water supply to communities through a Water Supply Development Grant Program that has awarded nearly $18 million in grant funding over the last two years.

Prior to Cyphers’ appointment at the District, he oversaw water management district budget development at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He has also served Floridians by working on water and environmental policy issues at the Executive Office of the Governor, Florida Senate and House of Representatives, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Cyphers is a veteran of the United States Army and Florida National Guard and holds a degree from Florida State University. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife and three daughters.

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