DoD Leading by Example
The Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership (Partnership) was formed in 1983 with a commitment to reverse the negative impacts of development within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In 1984, DoD became one of the first federal departments to formally join the watershed restoration effort. Since the Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load (TMDL) was established in 2010, the DoD Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) has directed the exchange of information between DoD and the Partnership on Chesapeake Bay-related policy and provided leadership among federal agencies located within the Bay as the co-chair of the Partnership’s Federal Facilities Work Group (FFWG). DoD continues to demonstrate leadership toward the common goal of a cleaner Bay, while fulfilling our primary mission to provide the military forces needed to deter war and protect the security of the United States. The DoD is a leader through our efforts to Integrate, Engage, and Partner.
Chesapeake Bay Program Staff
Blake E. Waller
Director, Regional Environmental Coordination Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic
Mr. Waller started his professional career with Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington in 2009, overseeing Natural Resource, Cultural Resource, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) contract actions and providing installation support on complex issues. In 2015, he transitioned to NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic (MIDLANT) to oversee Sikes Act implementation, Section 7 Endangered Species Act consultations, lead natural resource contracting efforts, and support complex NEPA actions that were occurring within the MIDLANT area of responsibility. In 2020, he was afforded the opportunity to become the Installation Environmental Program Director (IEPD) for Naval Air Station Oceana, where he provided guidance for all shore environmental programs for the installation. In his current role, Mr. Waller partners with state agencies and governments to promote long-term sustainability of the military mission while strengthening environmental restoration and protection efforts within the Department of Defense. In this capacity, he is responsible for managing the REC program on behalf of the CNRMA as DoD REC for Environmental Protection Agency Regions I & III and as Navy REC for Regions II & V.
Kevin R. Du Bois, PWS, PWD, CFM
DoD Chesapeake Bay Program Coordinator
Mr. Du Bois received a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Marine Science from Southampton College, Long Island University, and a master’s degree in Marine Environmental Research from the SUNY Stony Brook School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Mr. Du Bois has over 32 years of professional experience in wetland regulation at the state and local level, public access development and open space preservation, endangered and threatened species protection, recycling and litter prevention, and NEPA CATEX program administration. Mr. Du Bois currently serves the Navy as a DoD Chesapeake Bay Program Coordinator with specialized expertise in living shorelines and tidal wetland restoration and community engagement, education, and outreach. In his personal time, Mr. Du Bois volunteers locally with Lynnhaven River Now, the Lafayette Wetland Partnership, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation, as well as working to restore natural resources on his own property in the Lynnhaven River watershed.
Ashley L. Kelly
DoD Chesapeake Bay Program Coordinator
In 2013, Ms. Kelly worked as a Phytoplankton Specialist at the Community Environmental Health Laboratory within the Mount Desert Island Laboratory (MDIBL) in Maine. As a phytoplankton specialist, she collected phytoplankton and water quality at three coastal locations to monitor biotoxins. From 2013-2015, She was also a Research Assistant and Lab Manager for the Updike Lab where they study cellular totipotency and germline development using the genetic model organism C. elegans. From 2016 to 2019, she worked as a Senior Environmental Analyst for a government contractor supporting U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command with environmental planning and marine resources efforts. A key planning effort included the Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (Phase III). In April 2019, Ms. Kelly accepted a position with Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic where she served as a National Environmental Policy Act project manager and oversaw complex environmental planning, consultation, and permitting efforts in support of Navy mission needs. Ms. Kelly joined the Regional Environmental Coordination team in March 2023, and looks forward to building relationships and partnering with federal, state, local governments, and non-governmental organizations to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay.
Angela Jones
DoD/Navy Chesapeake Bay Outreach Coordinator and as the DoD/Navy Regional Environmental Coordinator’s (REC) Senior Compliance Manager
Angela Jones received her bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University (ECU) with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Business Administration in 2004. She also received an athletic scholarship, which gave her the opportunity to play basketball for ECU while pursuing her degrees. Mrs. Jones currently serves as the Outreach Coordinator and Air Compliance Manager with the Region I and IIII Department of Defense (DoD), Regional Environmental Coordination (REC) office in Norfolk, Virginia. Mrs. Jones previous experience includes working as a senior chemist at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, under Naval Sea Systems Command and serving as the Stormwater Media Manager at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS). Mrs. Jones joined the REC team in March 2021, where she coordinates outreach events within the Mid-Atlantic region, reviews proposed Clean Air Act legislation and regulations, and supports the REC/DoD Chesapeake Bay Program through participation in partnership, outreach, and educational programs. In her leisure time, Mrs. Jones and her family enjoy camping, fishing, and going to the beach. As a Virginia Beach, Virginia native, Mrs. Jones understands how important our role is in helping to maintain our environment for future generations.