The U.S. Senate confirmed Paige Hallen Hanson to serve as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Appointed by President Donald J. Trump, as CFO, Hanson will be responsible for overseeing nearly $100 billion currently appropriated for EPA’s work, the development and management of EPA’s annual budget, the agency’s financial and resource management systems, and more than 300 employees.
“Paige brings a wealth of expertise in complex budgets and over two decades of government and financial experience to EPA. She understands the importance of stewarding every cent of taxpayer money and is uniquely and highly qualified to serve as EPA’s Chief Financial Officer. I look forward to working with Paige in this new role to make EPA more transparent and efficient as we carry out our mission of protecting human health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
“I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to lead EPA’s financial operations,” said EPA Chief Financial Officer Paige Hanson. “From budgeting to payments, performance measures to financial technology, the work of this talented team enables the critical mission EPA plays in protecting human health and the environment.”
Prior to joining EPA, Hanson served as Senior Fellow at Tax Foundation and as a private sector CFO. She has extensive experience in financial operations and financial and economic public policy having served in the U.S. Senate on the Joint Economic Committee, Senate Budget Committee, and as finance policy staff for a Member of the Senate Appropriations and Finance Committees.
She also previously served as EPA’s Associate CFO for Policy during President Trump’s first term.
Hanson holds an MBA from Virginia Tech and an undergraduate degree in Government and Economics from Wofford College.
Here’s what people are saying about Paige Hanson’s presidential appointment:
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC): “I am very pleased that South Carolina’s own Paige Hanson has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the Environmental Protection Agency’s Chief Financial Officer. Originally from Lexington, Paige graduated from Wofford in the Upstate and went on to serve as a staffer in the U.S. Senate for seven years, specializing in financial issues. As Chief Financial Officer, Paige will be a great asset to Administrator Zeldin and the rest of the agency as they work to return it to its original mission: being good stewards of America’s natural environment while also supporting economic growth.”
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC): “I’m proud to support the confirmation of Paige Hanson, a native South Carolinian, as Chief Financial Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency. Paige brings proven financial expertise, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to public service that will serve the EPA and the American people well. South Carolina is proud to see one of our own take on such an important position in President Trump’s administration, and I congratulate her on this well-deserved confirmation!”
Senator Katie Britt (R-AL): “President Trump made a fantastic choice in nominating Paige Hanson as Chief Financial Officer for the EPA—I was proud to vote to confirm her for this important position. I know her expertise will advance Administrator Zeldin’s mission of achieving clean water, air, and land for all Americans while unleashing U.S. energy to onshore production, lower costs for families and businesses, and achieve energy dominance.”
Former EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler: “Paige did a great job as Associate CFO in the first Administration, she has the experience and knowledge the agency needs, and she displays all of the characteristics needed for a CFO.”
Former EPA Chief of Staff Ryan Jackson: “Paige Hanson is perfectly qualified to serve as EPA’s Chief Financial Officer. She served as a senior official in EPA’s financial office in the President’s first term and has years of experience in budget and appropriations on Capitol Hill, but most importantly, she is one of the most conscientious and hard-working individuals with whom I have ever worked.”
