Jim Pompy brings more than 25 years of experience to the position of Assistant Director in charge of the Office of Mine Reclamation (OMR). Pompy joined the Department of Conservation in 1986 as a Senior Mining Engineer. In 1996, he became an Environmental Program Manager, supervising scientists and other professionals working on matters related to the California Environmental Quality Act and the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act. Prior to be named Assistant Director, Pompy led OMR’s Reclamation Unit. A native of South Dakota, Pompy held several positions in the mining industry prior to joining state service. He has an undergraduate degree in biology and master’s degrees in mining engineering and business administration.

Pompy has contributed material to several publications on mining-related topics, such as reclamation and the backfilling of open-pit metallic mines. He has conducted numerous seminars and workshops during his 12-year affiliation with the University of California-Davis Extension Program.