Vinyard Joins Fellow Former Florida DEP Secretaries in Fireside Chat

Adams & Reese Partner Herschel Vinyard, a former Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, joined fellow DEP Secretaries Ryan Matthews, Jon Steverson, and Shawn Hamilton, as well as current DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert, to discuss Florida’s evolving environmental policies. The Florida DEP secretaries appeared on an exclusive Fireside Chat, produced by the Florida Specifier.

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Recorded at the Environmental Permitting Summer School in Marco Island, the panel reflects on how Florida’s environmental policies have evolved — and where they’re headed next. They also discussed their experiences in the DEP Secretary role, lessons learned, and vision for the future of environmental stewardship in Florida.

The discussion begins with a core challenge: balancing timely permitting and environmental protection. Vinyard and Steverson highlight the importance of clear rules, accountability, and quick decisions — even when the answer is “no.”

Vinyard and Secretary Lambert emphasize that permitting decisions work best when made locally, while Steverson underscores the role of water management districts as trusted partners. Matthews shares how legislation and BMAPs have shaped Florida’s springs protection efforts, despite legal and stakeholder challenges.

Secretary Lambert reflects on the ongoing tension between growth and environmental stewardship, calling it a “perennial responsibility.” Hamilton outlines how Florida’s stormwater rule modernization — the first major update in over four decades — balances environmental needs with economic realities.

Secretary Lambert envisions integrating AI and automation into permitting to improve efficiency while keeping expert judgment at the center. Each former secretary closes by reflecting on their legacy, from digitizing permitting to empowering teams. All agree: people — both agency staff and Floridians — remain at the heart of DEP’s mission.

At Adams & Reese, Vinyard is a leading member of the Intersection of Business and Government Practice Group and serves as Partner in Charge of the Jacksonville office. He has practiced environmental law and government relations for 30 years. He is experienced in state environmental law and policy, government affairs, environmental regulations, permitting, among other matters in which business, environmental law, and government converge.

Vinyard served as Florida DEP Secretary from 2011–2014. In that role, he was involved in all aspects of Florida environmental policy, including permitting, water policy, wetlands, state conservation lands, cabinet affairs and ecosystem restoration. His clients benefit from his track record of building coalitions and reaching consensus. He worked successfully with the EPA, environmental interests, agriculture interests, and businesses to adopt new water quality criteria and resolve disputes over ecosystem restoration projects that effectively ended federal litigation.