Sanders Appoints Caleb Osborne Division of Environmental Quality Director and Chief Administrator of Environment

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Today, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that she will appoint Caleb Osborne to serve as Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Director and Chief Administrator of Environment. 

“From the free-flowing waters of the Buffalo River to the rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains, Arkansas is proud to be the Natural State and enjoy clean air, land, and water,” Sanders said. “We must continue to responsibly protect these precious resources – which is why I am proud to be appointing Caleb Osborne to serve as DEQ Director and Chief Administrator of Environment. Together, with Secretary of Energy and Environment Shane Khoury, we will keep our state beautiful for generations of Arkansans to enjoy.”

“The Division of Environmental Quality plays a crucial role in maintaining the beautiful natural environment and precious resources that make Arkansas the Natural State,” Osborne said. “I am grateful to Governor Sanders for giving me the opportunity to join with Secretary Khoury and the talented team at E&E in the vital work of protecting and enhancing our environment in a manner that promotes a vibrant economy and provides an exceptional quality of life for all Arkansans.” 

“Having known Caleb for several years, I am excited to work closely with him in his new role as the DEQ Director and Chief Administrator of Environment,” said Shane Khoury, Secretary of Energy and Environment. “With his tremendous experience and breadth of knowledge, I am confident that he will be an invaluable asset to the Department of Energy and Environment and play an integral role in protecting our environment for the well-being of all Arkansans while promoting economic and resource development.”

Caleb Osborne biography:

Prior to returning to the Division of Environmental Quality, Caleb J. Osborne served as the Chief of Staff for the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. Caleb previously served within DEQ as the Associate Director for the Office of Water Quality. He also has worked on energy and environmental policy and regulatory issues in the energy sector at both the federal and state level.

A native Arkansan, Caleb graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in political science. He also has a J.D. from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. and an MPA from the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. He and his wife Stephanie live in Little Rock and have three sons.