Perfil

Dean Naujoks has over 30 years of environmental non-profit experience. He began his non-profit career in 1991 with the NC Wildlife Federation. After graduating from NC State University with a self-created degree in Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development, he was hired as the first Upper Neuse Riverkeeper in 2001 and then as the first Riverkeeper on the Yadkin River. He also served as Executive Director of Yadkin Riverkeeper, Inc., until 2014. Shortly after in 2015, he joined Red Potomac Riverkeeper as the Potomac Riverkeeper.

Dean has received numerous honors for his leadership in river protection, including River Network’s 2009 National River Heroes Award, Waterkeepers Chesapeake’s 2019 Outstanding Win (WOW) Award, and the Waterkeeper Alliance’s 2026 Terry Backer Award.

His work fighting toxic coal ash in Virginia and North Carolina helped advance stronger protections in Maryland, including the 2024 Coal Ash Accountability Act. He has also played a key role in Potomac Riverkeeper Network’s investigations into PFAS and other toxic chemicals in sewage sludge, helping expose harmful practices and advance new legislation in Maryland and Virginia.

In 2026, Dean helped lead the response to a historic 243-million-gallon sewage spill into the Potomac River, advocating for public health advisories, water-quality testing, and public awareness. Now celebrating 25 years as a riverkeeper, Dean continues to be a leading voice for clean water and healthy rivers.