Chesapeake Bay Commission Executive Director Ann Pesiri Swanson To Retire; Commission Members Recognize Her Achievements

On July 14, the Chair of the tri-state Chesapeake Bay Commission, Maryland Senator Sarah Elfreth, joined by Vice-Chairs Pennsylvania Senator Scott Martin and Virginia Senator Lynwood Lewis, announced they have – with much gratitude and reluctance – accepted the retirement of Ann Pesiri Swanson, from her position as the Commission’s Executive Director, a job she has held since 1988.

The Chesapeake Bay Commission is a tri-state legislative body that advises the general assemblies of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia on matters of Bay-wide concern. 

For four decades, the vast majority of the time with Ms. Swanson’s guiding hand, Commission members have successfully championed state legislative action, in both policy and budget, to help restore the environmental health and sustainability of the 64,000 square mile watershed.

Ms. Swanson is a respected leader not just in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, but nationally and globally, for her ability to forge policies, laws and implementation strategies that power the large-scale ecosystem restoration. She has carried the message and lessons-learned from the Bay to the other corners of the world.

In addition, Ms. Swanson, has been honored many times for her lifetime of work, including being named an Admiral of the Chesapeake by former Maryland Governor O’Malley, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chesapeake Conservancy and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, the University of Vermont.

Capping her amazing career was the successful passage of significant legislation in Pennsylvania this month, to better regulate fertilizer application on turf, and provide significant funding for agricultural best management practices via the Clean Streams Fund.

Ms. Swanson will formally end her tenure with the Commission on November 21st, and the Commission will advertise to hire a new Executive Director in August.

Rep. Mike Sturla, Member, Pennsylvania Delegation, on behalf of the Pennsylvania Delegation, said, “Pennsylvania congratulates Ann Swanson on her well-deserved retirement. Ann's candid and collaborative nature enabled effective agreements between bipartisan delegations from three states for more than three decades. 

“Due to her passionate and dedicated leadership, the Chesapeake Bay Commission has taken significant actions throughout its history to improve and protect the bay. While we will miss her expertise and knowledge, her legacy will live on forever in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 

“We are deeply grateful for her exemplary public service and we plan to continue to seek her advice for as long as she is willing to pick up the phone when we call.”

Visit the Chesapeake Bay Commission website for more information on its initiatives and upcoming events.

Related Article:

-- Ann Swanson Receives Lifetime Achievement Award From Chesapeake Conservancy

[Posted: July 14, 2022]  PA Environment Digest