Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech (’78 B.S. in forestry and wildlife) received the Alumni Award of Achievement. “We wanted to honor Doug for his leadership and many contributions in serving natural resources agencies and organizations in the Commonwealth of Virginia over his career,” Dean Paul Winistorfer said of this one-of-a-kind award.

As the state’s top environmental official, Domenech manages six Virginia state agencies, including the departments of Environmental Quality, Conservation and Recreation, Historic Resources, Game and Inland Fisheries, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, as well as the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

“I can think of no better recipient of this award than Doug Domenech,” wrote Gov. Bob McDonnell. “Doug is an integral member of our leadership team. He is committed to improving this commonwealth for all Virginians, and his work is making a positive difference in the life of our state.”

Domenech recognizes the value of Virginia’s natural resources to job creation and the economy. He has been involved in state efforts to conserve open space and land; more than 114,000 acres have been protected since he took office. He is also working to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay through the development of the Bay Watershed Implementation plans recently submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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