Thomas Tynes

I am not going to pretend I know all the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or difficulties of this position. However, I can say that I will prioritize timely and efficient workflow processing and data management, staff development, identify pinch points and areas of improvement, and integrate within the OLWR to ensure all Agency and Office goals are met.

My perspective comes from my current experience as the MCWI Program Manager and my past experience as the Chief of the Formal Enforcement Branch in ECED. With my background, I have a well rounded view of the regulated community and environmental stakeholders. More important, I can effectively communicate with the entire regulated community. I am just as comfortable speaking to a room of lawyers as I am to a room of farmers.

I am most comfortable utilizing a Transformational Leadership style. I enjoy coaching and mentoring staff, as Jay Barkley did with me. However, through the MDEQ Atlas Program, Belhaven MBA Program, MSPB’s Certified Public Manager Program, and MSPB’s Continuous Improvement Training Program, I have learned that being flexible and adaptable can make all the difference in what you can get out of individual staff members. Some individuals want and need individual attention. Some want autonomy and space. My ultimate goal is to equip staff with the skills necessary to take on future leadership roles within MDEQ. I am proud to say that I have 3 former staff that are now MDEQ Managers.

As the MCWI Program Manager I work closely with MDEQ’s Executive Leadership and the MCWI Program Management Team to ensure the MCWI Program is being run efficiently and effectively. As the Chief of the Formal Enforcement Branch in ECED, I worked closely with MDEQ Executive Leadership, Division Chiefs, Branch Managers, Other Branch Staff and the Enforcement Branch Staff to ensure timely and appropriate Formal Enforcement Action. Two of my proudest accomplishments, the MCWI Program Dashboards and the Formal Enforcement Process Improvements, were designed and implemented to maximize leadership input and ensure complete transparency of my work and workflow processing. My actions demonstrate the value I place on leadership direction and transparency.

Proven Leadership Proven Visionary Proven Results Proven Communication Skills

• MSPB Continuous Improvement Training Program (2025)
• MSPB Certified Public Manager Training Program (2019)
• MDEQ ATLAS Program Graduate
• Coordinated and Drafted MDEQ’s 5 Year Strategic Plan
• Served on MDEQ’s Deepwater Horizon Emergency Response Team
• Served on Re-Org Committee

• MCWI Program Success
• MCWI Program Dashboards
• Formal Enforcement Process Improvements
• CWA EMS Revisions
• Over 7M in Administrative Penalties Collected w/ No Complaints