Rick Scott taps Ryan Matthews as interim DEP chief

Ryan Matthews will serve as the interim Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Gov. Rick Scott announced Matthews appointment Tuesday, just days after FloridaPolitics.com first reported DEP Secretary Jon Steverson was resigning. Steverson’s last day is Feb. 3.

Matthews joined the DEP in 2015, serving as the Director of Office of Water Policy and most recently, serving as the deputy secretary of regulatory programs. Before joining the state agency, he was an associate legislative affairs director for the Florida League of Cities.

“Ryan’s hard work and dedication to protecting Florida’s environment have led the way to improved water quality and stronger environmental policies for Florida,” said Scott in a statement Tuesday. “I am confident that he will continue to fight to protect Florida’s pristine environment as Interim Secretary.”

According to guidelines adopted by the governor and the Cabinet, Scott is required to name an interim appointee to temporarily fill the vacancy, subject to the approval of interim appointments by the Cabinet. Scott and the Cabinet are expected to meet via phone next week to discuss the interim appointment.

The process of making a permanent appointment will also be governed by the Cabinet Governance Guidelines.