RALEIGH, NC – Christopher J. Ayers, a Partner in the Raleigh office of Poyner Spruill LLP, has been appointed to the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission for a two-year term, beginning June 30, 2011. Chris’s legal practice includes public utilities, environmental, land use, renewable energy and appellate law. He regularly represents water, wastewater, electric, telecommunications, utilities, and municipalities before North Carolina courts and administrative agencies.

The Environmental Management Commission is a 19-member Commission appointed by the Governor, the Senate Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House. The Commission is responsible for adopting rules for the protection, preservation and enhancement of the State's air and water resources. Commission members are chosen to represent various interests, including the medical profession, agriculture, engineering, fish and wildlife, groundwater, air and water pollution control, municipal or county government, and the public at large. The Commission oversees and adopts rules for several divisions of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, including the Divisions of Air Quality, Land Resources, Water Quality, and Water Resources.

Chris graduated from Duke University with a B.A. degree magna cum laude, and received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina with honors. He can be reached at 919.783 1152 or by email at cayers@poynerspruill.com.