Meet Our Staff

Gary Pruitt:
Executive Director / APCO
Gary has been the Executive Director for the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency since October, 2006. Immediately prior to accepting this position, he had only briefly returned to YRCAA as Compliance Supervisor, having taken a two year hiatus from the Agency, during which time he owned and operated an environmental consulting business. Previously, his experience with YRCAA included compliance staff supervision, air monitoring, business assistance, public education, permitting, planning and administrative duties in his capacity as Operations Manager. Gary spent five years, prior to that, in the asbestos abatement industry, conducting and overseeing asbestos removal projects. Gary is accredited as an AHERA Asbestos Building Inspector and is approved as a classroom instructor for all AHERA Asbestos Disciplines by both EPA and WISHA, and holds an EPA Method 9 Emissions Evaluation Certificate. Gary served his country in the United States Air Force and has lived in the Yakima area most of his life.
E-Mail: gary@yrcaa.org

Michelle Blanchard:
Agency Receptionist, Administrative Assistant and Woodstove Change Out Coordinator
Michelle came to YRCAA in ’08. Michelle provides clerical and administrative support to the Public Information Officer and the Office Administrator. After attending Western Washington University, majoring in Political Science; she moved to Alaska, and there served seven summer seasons with the Trail of ’98 Museum as an Information Specialist and Education Director. She spent 15 years as a Home Educator during the school season, before transplanting to Yakima from Skagway, Alaska in 2006. At YRCCA, Michelle will most likely be the one answering your phone call, sharing information, or retrieving that elusive file.
E-Mail: michelle@yrcaa.org

Carl Brookshire:
Air Quality Specialist, Information Technology Manager, Webmaster
Carl has been an Air Quality Specialist with the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency since 2004. He is a member of the compliance team and performs air quality inspections. He has received additional training through the California Air Resources Board Air Quality Program, and maintains a current EPA Method 9 Emissions Certificate. In addition, Carl is also the agency’s Network Administrator and Webmaster. He has also assisted the Northwest Opacity Certification team operation as operator, maintenance specialist and field assistant. After having served in the US Army and, Army National Guard for twenty-three years, Carl earned an A.A. Degree in Machine Shop Technology from Walla Walla Community College.
E-Mail: carl@yrcaa.org

David Caprile:
Public Information Officer, NOC Classroom Support, Backup Network Administrator and Webmaster
Dave is currently the Public Information Officer for the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency. As spokesperson for the agency, Dave responds to all public and media inquiries and oversees public outreach activities. He manages the annual Woodstove Rebate program and grants. Dave was hired in 2005 to assist in the Northwest Opacity Certification program. Dave continues to be part of the teaching team for the Initial Certification course. His previous background has been in the private sector, having owned and operated his own business. Dave holds a B.A. from California State University at Hayward and served his country in the United States Army.
E-Mail: david@yrcaa.org

Mark Edler:
PM 2.5 Emission Reduction Project Manager
Mark joined Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency in February 2009 as an assistant in Northwest Opacity Certification Program and is currently the PM 2.5 Emission Reduction Project Manager. This project is intended to reduce smoke emissions primarily from Wood Stoves. Mark also assists in Complaint response and Minor Source inspections. Mark currently holds EPA Method 9 Visible Emission Evaluation Certification, and has lived in the Yakima area most of his life.
E-Mail: mark@yrcaa.org

Jenny Filipy:
Air Quality Specialist; Engineer and Planner
Jenny became part of Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency Engineering and Planning Division in 2009. Jenny performs engineering research, emission calculations, permit and planning work to assure compliance with clean air standards, rules and regulations. Prior to joining YRCAA, Jenny worked in the Laboratory for Atmospheric Research at Washington State University and earned her BS in Civil Engineering and MS in Environmental Engineering from WSU.
E-Mail: jenny@yrcaa.org

Ron Gray:
Air Quality Specialist, Inspection Manager, Technical/Business Assistance
Ron is an Air Quality Specialist and a member of the Compliance team with the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency. He performs minor source inspections. Since coming to work for the Agency in 2004, Ron has operated the smoke generating equipment for the Northwest Opacity Certification program and performs maintenance and semi-annual certifications of the smoke generator. He has maintained a current Opacity Certificate since he joined the Agency, and is part of the teaching team for the Initial Certification course. His previous experience includes computer and electronics repair and installation. Ron holds an A.A. from Yakima Valley Community College and has received additional training through the California Air Resources Board Air Quality training program.
E-Mail: ron@yrcaa.org

Dustin Harrington:
Complaints Program Manager
Dustin joined the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency in March of 2007 as an Air Quality Specialist. He performs inspections and manages complaints as part of the Compliance Staff. Dustin is also part of the Northwest Opacity Certification Team.
E-Mail: dustin@yrcaa.org

Keith M. Hurley:
Supervisor, Compliance & Air Monitoring Division
Keith joined the YRCAA team in March of 2007 as an Air Quality Specialist. In February of 2008 he was promoted to the Supervisor Position for the Compliance and Air Monitoring Division. Prior to his hiring, Keith spent two years as a Physical Science Officer in the Department of the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program. From 1981 through 2004 he served the United States Army on Active Duty and as a member of the Active Reserves as an Aviator and Safety Officer. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm, Operation Uphold Democracy, and Operation Enduring Freedom. His Military Awards include the Air Medal with V Device, Senior Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge. Keith also possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Fitness Development from Central Washington University.
E-Mail: keith@yrcaa.org

Christa Owen:
Fiscal Programs Manager, NOC Program Support, Special Projects Support
Christa started working for Yakima Regional Clean Air Agency in July 2009 to take over registration and bookkeeping for the Northwest Opacity Certification Program. In 2010 She became the Fiscal Programs Manager for the Agency. She is also an Administrative Assistant for the Compliance Division. Christa graduated from Central Washington University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, and has been a CPA since 1999. Prior to joining YRCAA she spent six years in Public Accounting.
E-Mail: christa@yrcaa.org

Hasan Tahat, Ph.D:
Engineering and Planning Division Supervisor. Title V Permitting, Major and Minor New Source Reviews (NSR) permits, Registration, Synthetic Minor sources, Technical Assistance, and backup for the Air Pollution Control Officer ( APCO).
Hasan joined the Yakima Regional Clean Air Agengy as an Engineer in 1997. He is currently the Engineering and Planning Division Supervisor. He is ultimately responsible for all major and minor source permits issued through the Agency. Permitting includes engineering calculations and the critical assessment of all major and minor New Source Reviews (NSR) and Title V permits, in accordance with the Clean Air Act. Hasan also oversees the Planning section within YRCAA. A native of Jordan, Hasan is fluent in several languages. Hasan holds a Doctorate in Environmental Engineering from Nagasaki University, Japan.
E-Mail: hasan@yrcaa.org

Patty Walker:
Administrative Specialist, Human Resources Manager, Board and Executive Director Secretary, Office Manager, Front Office Supervisor
Patty became part of the Yakima County Clean Air Agency front office staff in 1996, seeing the Agency through its name change and working for three Air Pollution Control Officers. Patty is currently the Office Staff Supervisor and Administrative Assistant to the Director. Patty earned an AA Degree from Yakima Valley Community College in Management and Supervision, and is fluent in Gregg shorthand, much to the chagrin of her grandchildren at Christmas.
E-Mail: patty@yrcaa.org