Paul R. White II
Arlington,TX
Summary
Interim Director with 20 years of municipal experience focused on enhancing public safety and quality of life through effective regulatory and sustainability management. Proven track record in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and overseeing complex governmental departments. Recognized for delivering executive support, team leadership, and exceptional customer service. Expertise includes mentorship, change management, public speaking, report writing, and budgeting.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Interim Director
City of Dallas, Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability
Dallas, USA
01.2025 - Current
- Oversee $17M budget and 100+ employees for the 9th largest US City
- Leads the development, implementation, and oversight of citywide programs and policies that promote environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal standards.
- Directs all departmental operations, establishes priorities for effective service delivery, and aligns resource utilization with city goals.
- Evaluates program performance and project outcomes to ensure compliance with environmental standards; provides technical oversight and quality assurance across initiatives.
- Oversees complex environmental service areas, including air and water quality, stormwater management, waste diversion, hazardous materials, renewable energy, and environmental management systems.
- Leads cross-departmental collaboration to implement Dallas’ Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan (CECAP), championing carbon reduction, environmental justice, and sustainable development.
- Advises the City Manager, City Council, and senior leadership on sustainability goals, climate policies, and environmental best practices; prepares executive reports and public presentations.
Assistant Director
City of Dallas, Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability
Dallas, USA
02.2024 - Current
- Oversee implementation of the City of Dallas Comprehensive Environmental Climate Action Plan and Comprehensive Urban Agriculture Plan
- Provide programmatic oversight of Environmental and Sustainability Programs
- Supervise staff of approximately 40 people, including 11 direct reports
- Participate in budget planning and allocation
Superintendent
City of Dallas, Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability
Dallas, USA
11.2016 - 08.2023
- Manage Air Compliance, Air Monitoring, Community Outreach, and Environmental Due Diligence Programs (Soil/Groundwater/Hazardous Materials)
- Direct management of three employees and indirect management of 18 employees
- Environmental Justice strategist and City liaison. Work closely with the community, politicians, and various governmental entities (EPA, County, and State agencies)
- Strategize and lead departmental merger and re-organization activities
- Project Lead: Department Business Plan, City Litter Task Force, Enviro Training Program
- Manage grant contracts; communicate closely with State Agencies and Federal Agencies; including the EPA, Department of Homeland Security, and TCEQ
Natural Resource Manager/Sr. Environ. Coordinator
City of Dallas, Trinity Watershed Management
Dallas, USA
07.2014 - 11.2016
- Managed urban development projects and natural resources in the Trinity River Corridor and Great Trinity Forest including: the Wetlands, Big Spring, Trinity Forest Golf Course, Texas Horse Park, and various trail systems
- Directed management of City Forester, Env. Coordinator II, and Env. Specialist
- TWM Construction Project Manager and O&M Contract Manager for the Texas Horse Park, including Risk Management and Financial Auditing
- Media relations liaison included interviews and correspondence with the Dallas Morning News, Dallas Observer, D Magazine, and KERA
- Served as technical resource to Upper Management, Capitol Improvement Project Managers, Community, and Governmental Agencies
- Negotiated and administered vendor service contracts
- Oversaw public education programs including community and corporate sponsored events
- Participated in round table planning discussions with Executives and various stakeholders
Stormwater Manager
City of Dallas, Stormwater Management
Dallas, USA
12.2010 - 07.2014
- Directed Water Quality and Enforcement Sections within Dallas Stormwater Management Program.
- Supervised two Supervisors and twelve Environmental Specialists to ensure efficient operations.
- Conducted strategic planning to meet EPA consent decree and TCEQ permit obligations.
- Collaborated with City Attorney’s Office on prosecution of environmental violations.
- Administered and forecasted annual Capital Budget of approximately $1.2 million.
- Managed laboratory operations, including audit preparation and QA/QC compliance.
- Authored technical sections for annual MS4 report to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Analyzed data trends to assess stream health across Dallas watersheds.
Supervisor III (Environmental Water Quality)
City of Dallas, Stormwater Management
Dallas, USA
04.2009 - 12.2010
- Prioritized workload and scheduled tasks for eight direct reports.
- Led environmental investigations for illicit discharges, HAZMAT spills, and fish kills.
- Oversaw monitoring programs including Dry/Wet Weather, Bioassessment, CRP, and IDDE.
- Managed Public Works laboratory operations, including writing Standard Operating Guidelines and QA/QC testing.
- Reviewed stormwater data, identifying trends and ensuring compliance.
- Administered budget exceeding $500,000 annually to optimize resource allocation.
- Managed Emergency Response Program for over 20 staff members; conducted safety training.
Supervisor (Environmental Enforcement)
City of Dallas, Stormwater Management
Dallas, USA
06.2007 - 04.2009
- Scheduled and prioritized workload for five direct reports to enhance productivity.
- Supervised staff to ensure timely inspections of construction sites per regulatory compliance.
- Managed departmental responses to sanitary sewer overflows and hazardous spills, both during and after hours.
- Assisted City Attorney’s Office with prosecution of environmental ordinance violations, including settlement negotiations and court testimony.
Environmental Specialist
City of Irving, Water Utilities Department
Irving, USA
04.2007 - 06.2007
- Coordinated the state mandated F-O-G (Fats, Oils, and Greases) program
- Ensured commercial and governmental compliance with state regulations regarding backflow devices
Environmental Compliance Officer
City of Arlington, Public Works Department
Arlington, USA
11.2001 - 04.2007
- Enforced Environmental Code Compliance
- Provided 24-hour Emergency Response
- Coordinated the Dry Weather sampling, Wet Weather Sampling, and Clean Rivers Sampling programs
- Inspected construction sites in compliance with state and federal stormwater guidelines
- Coordinated the Safety Program and Household Hazardous Waste Program for the Environmental Services Division
Water Plant Operator
City of Arlington, Water Department
Arlington, USA
10.2000 - 11.2001
- Responsible for treating non-potable water in order to obtain potable water
- Provided Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (“SCADA “) interpretation
Education
M.A. - Organizational Leadership
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK09.2023
Post Graduate - Financial Accounting
Harvard Online Business School
12.2021
Post Graduate - Management
Southern Methodist University
12.2008
B.S. - Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY12.2000
Skills
- Staff management and training
- Media relations and public speaking
- Budget and grant management
- Community engagement strategies
- Natural resource management
- Environmental justice leadership
- Regulatory compliance and auditing
- Stormwater management
Certification
- Nationally Certified Floodplain Manager, Texas Floodplain Management Association
- Registered Environmental Manager, National Registry of Environmental Professionals
- Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt Certification
- Class C Surface Water License, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- NCTCOG, Stormwater Construction & Industrial Facility Inspection Certification
- EPA Watershed Management Certification
- Effective Presentation Skills Certification
Accomplishments
- Coordinated and executed the reorganization of the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (EQS). This reorganization shifted the departmental structure for approximately 100 employees.
- Prepared Budget for Equity Report (BFE) for EQS. The BFE Report helped support the department develop an equity lens and understand equity frameworks.
- Created and managed the City of Dallas Litter Task Force (LTF), which required cooperative assistance from 11 City departments. The LTF improved City-wide coordination with littering, illegal dumping, and community outreach activities.
- Received a Community Leadership Award from Dallas City Council for successfully helping to improve communication and trust between the City and the Pleasant Grove Community.
- Developed an Environmental Training Program for the City of Dallas. Multiple City Departments participate in the training annually. City-wide Training included knowledge about Air, Water, Floodplain Management, Code Enforcement, and other environmental disciplines.
Community Service
- Ark Ranch Toy/Coat Drive, Highland Hills, Dallas, TX
- City of Grand Prairie, Public Health Advisory Commission (Appointed)
- Big Brothers and Big Sisters (Spokesperson, Mentor)
- Boys & Girls Club (Coach – Youth Football)
- YMCA (Coach – Youth Football & Soccer)
- USA Boxing & Golden Gloves Boxing (Referee & Judge)
- TXDOT Green Ribbon Project, Oak Cliff, Dallas, TX
- Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated
Awards
- Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, University of Oklahoma
- Community Leadership Award, Pleasant Grove / Pemberton Hill, Dallas, TX
- City Employee of the Quarter Award, 10,000+ City Employees
- City of Dallas Wall of Honor Recipient (Awarded Multiple Times)
Speaking Engagements
- 2023 DFW Air Summit Speaker
- 2024 DFW Air Summit Speaker
- 2024 Dallas Climate Symposium Speaker
- 2024 Dallas Innercity Growers (DIG) Summit Speaker
Timeline
Interim Director
City of Dallas, Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability
01.2025 - Current
Assistant Director
City of Dallas, Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability
02.2024 - Current
Superintendent
City of Dallas, Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability
11.2016 - 08.2023
Natural Resource Manager/Sr. Environ. Coordinator
City of Dallas, Trinity Watershed Management
07.2014 - 11.2016
Stormwater Manager
City of Dallas, Stormwater Management
12.2010 - 07.2014
Supervisor III (Environmental Water Quality)
City of Dallas, Stormwater Management
04.2009 - 12.2010
Supervisor (Environmental Enforcement)
City of Dallas, Stormwater Management
06.2007 - 04.2009
Environmental Specialist
City of Irving, Water Utilities Department
04.2007 - 06.2007
Environmental Compliance Officer
City of Arlington, Public Works Department
11.2001 - 04.2007
Water Plant Operator
City of Arlington, Water Department
10.2000 - 11.2001
M.A. - Organizational Leadership
University of Oklahoma
Post Graduate - Financial Accounting
Harvard Online Business School
Post Graduate - Management
Southern Methodist University
B.S. - Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Kentucky State University
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