About the Deputy Director of the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment

Kay Holt 

Kay Holt serves as the Deputy Director of the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment within the U.S. EPA's Office of Research and Development. A career federal employee and member of the Senior Executive Service, Kay entered government service with the Department of Defense (DoD) in February 1988. During her 30+ year career with DoD and the U.S. EPA, she has held numerous leadership and managerial posts focused on resource management, acquisition strategy, human resources, strategic planning, performance measures and standards, intelligence, and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) programs.

Kay has received two Meritorious Civilian Service Awards. She also received a Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a Federal civil servant, for her efforts within the classified POW/MIA program and for her service on the Congressional Joint Inquiry into the 9-11 Terrorist Attacks. A native of North Carolina, she earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1986 and 1987, respectively. In June 1999, she was awarded a Master of Science degree from the U.S. National War College. Kay lives outside of Chapel Hill, NC.