David M. Word
Senior Consultant
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After joining Joe Tanner & Associates in October 2007, David Word has used his thirty-two years of experience in managing State environmental programs to assist and guide clients in a variety of environmental and governmental activities.
After starting as an environmental engineer with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) in 1974, David Word assumed management positions in EPD’s Water Protection Branch from 1977 to 1985. In 1986, he became Chief of the Water Resources Branch, then Chief of the Water Protection Branch in 1990.
David Word was the Assistant Director of EPD from 1992 to 2006. He provided day-to-day oversight of all environmental programs including, water quality, water allocation, erosion and sedimentation control, safe drinking water, safe dams, solid and hazardous wastes, underground storage tanks and site remediation. He was actively engaged in developing and implementing statewide environmental policy, rules and legislation. He was called upon countless times to find win-win solutions for local governments and businesses grappling with environmental requirements.
As Assistant Director, David Word worked year round directly with members of the General Assembly. He helped the members with constituent services dealing with environmental issues and built great relationships with the members. During the General Assembly Session, he provided expertise on bills being considered and his advice was used to pass, defeat or amend environmental bills. He lobbied about ten bills through the General Assembly on behalf of the Environmental Protection Division.
David Word was recognized by Governor Joe Frank Harris as one of four DNR employees to receive a special commendation as an outstanding employee. He was directly involved in, and a key founder of, the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership.
David Word worked directly with local governments in the metropolitan Atlanta area after retiring from EPD. He was an engineer with the Cobb Water System and a Senior Principal Planner with the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District.
As a partner with Joe Tanner & Associates, David Word has assisted many local governments with General Assembly and environmental issues. These include Newton, Spalding, Paulding, Barrow, Fayette, Walton, Hall, Forsyth, Gwinnett and DeKalb Counties, the City of Atlanta, the Carroll County Water Authority, the Etowah Water and Sewer Authority, the South Fulton Municipal Water Authority and Dalton Utilities.
He received a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from Duke University and a Masters of Environmental Engineering from the University of Maryland. He and his wife Chris reside in the City of Atlanta.