Submitted by Phil Devlin.
(Feb. 27, 2019) — Jerry Reid, formerly of Killingworth and a 1987 HKHS graduate, was named by Governor Janet Mills of Maine to be the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner last month. Jerry was a terrific student/athlete at HK– a smart, dedicated individual with a deep sense of commitment to whatever he did; furthermore, he was a kind, generous, and loyal human being who always impressed his teachers and coaches. Jerry was a student of mine in both junior English as well as in Latin. He was also an outstanding baseball player for HK. I had the pleasure of coaching him in the 7th and 8th grade; in addition, he played 2nd base for Coach Mark Brookes for four years in high school.
Jerry is the son of James and Nancy Reid and formerly resided on Green Hill Rd in Killingworth. Jerry’s dad was a longtime, beloved professor of mathematics at Wesleyan as well as a member of the Regional 17 Board of Education for several years. Jerry attended Wesleyan, where he majored in Latin and played baseball for the Cardinals. Following college, Reid attended the University of Maine Law School, where he graduated cum laude in 1994.
Prior to being confirmed as DEP Commissioner, Jerry served in the environmental division of the Attorney General’s Office in Maine for over two decades. He had been the chief of that office for the last 11 years. In a written statement of support, Governor Janet Mills had this to say about Jerry Reid: “The Department of Environmental Protection plays a crucial role in safeguarding the air we breathe, the water we drink, and our many other valuable natural resources. Jerry has worked tirelessly for decades to protect our environment and natural resources through his work in the Attorney General’s Office, and I know firsthand from my experience working closely with him that he has the talent and ability to lead this important agency. I look forward to continuing to work with him in the years to come.”
In a written statement, Reid said the following about his appointment: “I’m honored to be Governor-elect Mills’ selection to lead the Department of Environmental Protection. I have been privileged to work on some of the most important environmental and natural resources issues facing Maine in the Attorney General’s Office, and I’m excited by the opportunity to continue that work in a new role.”
Those of us who knew Jerry Reid at HK are confident in his ability to serve the people of Maine well in his new job. Jerry currently lives in Harpswell, Maine with his wife and three daughters. Congratulations, Jerry!
Picture from state of Maine DEP website.
