Updated: March 14, 2007

Women's History Month – Lori Emory

As Chief of Watershed Water Quality Operations at DEP, Lori Emory has an enormous job. Together with approximately 110 scientists, technicians and administrative staff, she is responsible for performing all the water quality samples, field tests and laboratory analyses for the City’s 1,972 square mile upstate watershed. As part of her responsibilities, Lori manages six watershed locations and five state-certified and federally-accredited laboratories. The data provided by her division helps DEP make important decisions about the treatment, day-to-day sources and protection of the City’s drinking water.

Lori began her career at DEP in 1992 as an Associate Chemist at the Grahamsville Laboratory. Prior to that position, she worked as a Chemist and Operator at a small, municipal wastewater treatment plant in rural North Carolina. Here, Lori says, her willingness to do any task made her “one of the guys” and helped her “earn the respect and friendship of my male colleagues.”

Lori holds an AAS in Ecology/Environmental Technology from Paul Smith’s College, a BS in Biology from Guildford College and a MS in Environmental Management from Chadwick University.

She currently lives in Stone Ridge, NY with her partner Melissa and their three dogs: Bailey, Maggie and Astro. Outside of work she enjoys outdoor sports, especially running, hiking, ski-blading and bouldering. She gives “heartfelt thanks” to her parents, sister and sister’s family for their “unwavering support” over the years.