President Barack Obama's nominee to become next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Gina McCarthy, started her career locally, first in neighboring Canton, and then here in Stoughton as this town's first Environmental Officer. 

Obama announced during a Monday morning press conference, from the East Room in the White House, that he nominated McCarthy to lead the EPA. She is currently the Assistant Administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. 

McCarthy grew up in Canton and has degrees from UMass Boston and Tufts University, according to her bio on the Connecticut State website. 

"She began her career in 1980 as the first full-time Health Agent in the town of Canton, Massachusetts," her bio states. 

"After starting a family in 1984, she took a part-time position working for the Board of Health in the neighboring town of Stoughton, where she eventually expanded her responsibilities to become the town's first Environmental Officer, staffing both the Board of Health and Conservation Commission."

McCarthy went on to have high-ranking environmental positions for both the state of Massachusetts and for the state of Connecticut, before her elevation to Assistant Administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

"As a top environmental official in Massachusetts and Connecticut, she helped design programs to expand energy efficiency and promote renewable energy," President Obama said, according to a transcript of his remarks at Monday's press conference, posted on the White House website. 

"As Assistant EPA Administrator," Obama continued, "Gina has focused on practical, cost-effective ways to keep our air clean and our economy growing.  She’s earned a reputation as a straight shooter.  She welcomes different points of views.  I’m confident that she’s going to do an outstanding job leading the EPA."