Armstrong appoints Jennifer Turnbow to lead ND Department of Environmental Quality

(KVRR) -North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong has appointed Jennifer Turnbow to lead the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.

Turnbow is currently senior director of business operation and field services at Ulteig Engineers.

The governor’s office cite her experience as deputy director of planning for the North Dakota Department of Transportation. She served from 2021 to 2022. She also served as director of environmental services for Bismarck-based engineering firm KLJ from 2008 to 2018.

“Jen brings more than two decades of experience in the environmental, engineering, infrastructure and transportation sectors, with a proven track record of leading organizations and overseeing complex projects across North Dakota,” Armstrong said. “Our citizens will benefit from her deep understanding of the relationship between our state’s infrastructure, industry and natural resources, and her strong commitment to the environmental stewardship that allows North Dakota to maintain some of the cleanest air, land and water in the nation.”

Turnbow’s appointment begins on Oct. 6. She will be the second director of DEQ since it became a standalone agency in 2019.

“I’m grateful to Governor Armstrong for the opportunity to lead the DEQ and build on the strong foundation Dave Glatt established. I’m excited to join the dedicated team at DEQ in their mission to conserve and protect the quality of North Dakota’s air, land and water,” Turnbow said. “Our work should always be grounded in sound science and the law, with a clear responsibility to protect North Dakota’s natural resources and the health and safety of our people.”

Turnbow is a native of New Salem, and earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Idaho. She also has a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Grand Canyon University, located in Phoenix, Arizona.

Beth Jacobson, who has served as DEQ’s interim director since Dave Glatt retired July 31, will return to her role as director of accounting at DEQ.