Craig Butler, director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will discuss the agency’s role in protecting the public and the environment in Ohio Northern University’s Dicke Forum on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 6:30 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public.

Butler also will discuss the contrasting roles between federal and state agencies. The presentation will occur in tandem with an environmental law class taught by Dr. Russ Decker, ONU lecturer of political science.

Gov. John Kasich appointed Butler as director of the Ohio EPA in February 2014. Butler had served as interim director of the agency since early January 2014. He previously served as the assistant policy director for energy, agriculture and the environment in Kasich’s administration.

A public servant for more than 24 years, Butler previously served as chief of Ohio EPA’s central district office and southeast district office. He is a member of the Dangerous Wild Animal Board and is a past member of the board of directors for the Ohio Alliance for the Environment.