Director David K. Paylor

Paylor’s career began in 1973 with the State Water Control Board and continued with DEQ. He began as a field biologist and held a variety of positions after that as an aquatic ecologist, water resources manager, director of petroleum programs, and director of operations. Paylor is president of the Environmental Research Institute of the States. 

Paylor graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s degree in zoology and received his master’s degree from Oregon State University in fisheries science. He and his wife, Lesa, have two children, Kelsey and Grant.  His hobbies include camping, canoeing and woodworking.