Sushma Masemore was named Deputy Secretary for Environment in May 2021. She guides DEQ’s regulatory divisions through the complex issues facing North Carolina and brings more than 35 years of public and private sector experience to the role.
Masemore currently oversees regulatory programs in air quality, water quality, waste management, dam safety, mining, erosion & sedimentation control, stormwater management, energy development, and compensatory mitigation and nutrient offsets to protect the state’s waters. Previously, Masemore guided permitting programs related to coastal management and administration of multi-billion-dollar infrastructure funding programs for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, lead service line replacement, emerging contaminants, and energy resilience projects.
Masemore was the primary architect in the development of the North Carolina Clean Energy Plan whose emission targets were later enacted in North Carolina legislation. Masemore also led the development of the state’s first comprehensive Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan which examined vulnerabilities and risks across eleven economic sectors.
Prior to joining DEQ, Masemore worked in the private sector to find technological solutions that made good business sense while protecting public health. She is a recipient of the NC Governor’s Excellence Award and Environmental Council of States Innovation Award.
Masemore earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Biochemical Engineering from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina.