Wilmington, DE—Today, Delaware Governor-elect Matt Meyer announced the nomination of Greg Patterson as Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and Don Clifton as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. Patterson and Clifton will bring extensive experience to their respective departments and a shared commitment to protecting Delaware’s natural resources and improving the sustainability of our communities. 

“As Delaware faces unprecedented environmental challenges, it’s critical that we have strong, experienced leadership at DNREC,” Governor-elect Matt Meyer said. “With his proven record of serving the people of Delaware, Greg possesses the skills and dedication required to lead the state into a future where both our environment and economy can thrive together.” 

Patterson has more than 25 years of service in state government, including for Governors Jack Markell and Ruth Ann Minner, as well as at the state departments of Justice and Insurance. Governor-elect Meyer also named Dayna Cobb to serve as Deputy Secretary at DNREC, where she has demonstrated her expertise as the current Director of DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, and Energy, overseeing diverse initiatives such as the development of the Climate Action Plan, state energy policy, Delaware’s electric vehicle and clean energy rebate programs, federal consistency in relation to coastal environmental issues and Delaware’s National Estuarine Research Reserve. The intended appointments of Patterson and Cobb reflect the incoming administration’s dedication to making Delaware a model for environmental sustainability. Under their leadership, DNREC will focus on enhancing the state’s efforts to combat climate change, ensure environmental justice, and protect Delaware’s coastal and inland ecosystems.

Additionally, Governor-elect Meyer announced his intention to nominate Don Clifton as Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture. As the current executive director of the Delaware Farm Bureau, Clifton has decades of experience in the farming and agriculture business, and he will bring a wealth of knowledge to the department.

“Don’s extensive experience in agricultural leadership, combined with his deep commitment to sustainability and community development, will be invaluable as we work to strengthen Delaware’s agricultural sector,” Governor-elect Meyer said. “Agriculture is part of Delaware’s history and will continue to be a part of its future, and I look forward to working with Don to support Delaware’s hardworking farm families.” 

To learn more about Delaware Governor-elect Matt Meyer and his transition team, please visit https://transition.delaware.gov/ 

Greg Patterson – Nominee, Secretary, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Since February 2022, Patterson has served as the Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator and Federal Affairs Coordinator in the Office of Governor John Carney, overseeing the implementation of federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for key sectors such as broadband, water, energy, and transportation. In this role, Patterson also spearheaded successful legislative initiatives, including offshore wind procurement and traffic safety bills in 2023 and 2024. 

Previously, Patterson served as Chief of Staff at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, advising the Secretary and managing the department’s operations. He also played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic and was redeployed to assist the Delaware Division of Public Health in communications and logistics for vaccine clinics. 

Dayna Cobb — Appointee, Deputy Secretary, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Dayna Cobb is a seasoned environmental advocate with over 20 years of experience in environmental policy, natural resource management, and sustainable development. Since 2019, she has served as the director of Climate, Coastal, and Energy at DNREC. Cobb has worked across federal and state agencies throughout her career, leading initiatives that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship. She is known for her ability to navigate complex environmental regulations and implement innovative solutions to mitigate climate change and protect wildlife habitats. 

Don Clifton — Nominee, Secretary, Delaware Department of Agriculture
Don Clifton is the current Executive Director of the Delaware Farm Bureau. Raised on his family’s farm in Sussex County, Clifton has a deep understanding of farming operations, including grain, soybeans, and vegetable processing. His experience in vegetable processing and wastewater operations provides a hands-on commitment to agriculture’s environmental stewardship. Previously, Clifton served as the state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. He also co-chaired Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s Strategic Economic Council for Agriculture and Biotechnology. 

ABOUT DELAWARE GOVERNOR-ELECT MATT MEYER
Governor-elect Matt Meyer is a former public school math teacher and small business owner who has served as New Castle County Executive since 2017. As the leader of Delaware’s largest local government, Matt has proven that government can still work for the people– delivering real results for real people and making real progress for Delaware’s working families. Gov-elect Meyer will bring that same result-driven leadership across our state by creating an effective government that reflects our values and priorities. 

From Wilmington to Kenya and Iraq: Growing up in Delaware, Matt attended schools in the Brandywine School District, followed by Wilmington Friends School, and then studied Computer Science & Political Science at Brown University. He then moved to Nairobi, Kenya, where he learned Swahili and created Ecosandals, a recycled footwear company that sold environmentally friendly footwear to customers in 17 countries on five continents.  Matt subsequently spent 12 months in Mosul, Iraq, as a diplomat embedded with the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

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