Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Richard A. Hyde, a licenses professional engineer, as executive director for the agency effective immediately. He succeeds Zak Covar, who was recently appointed as a TCEQ commissioner. Hyde has served as deputy executive director since 2012. He also served as deputy director of the state’s Office of Compliance and Enforcement, the Office of Permitting and Registration, and was director of the Air Permits Division for five years. Hyde joined the TCEQ in 1992 and worked as a permit engineer, team leader and manager in the Air Permits Division.

Mark Ferron, one of five commissioners on the California Public Utilities Commission, has resigned three years into his six-year appointment, citing health reasons. The former international banker was appointed to the commission in March 2011 by Gov. Jerry Brown.