About Us

The Air Pollution Control Officer
Air Pollution Control Board
Financial Reports
Contact Us

 

The District was formed by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in 1968, in response to the county's first air pollution study. The study identified Ventura County as having a severe air quality problem. Currently, Ventura County does not meet the federal air quality standards for ozone. It also exceeds the state standards for ozone and particulate matter. With over 800,000 county residents, the District is committed to programs that will clean the air to protect public health.

 

The District is classified as a Special District separate and independent from the County of Ventura agencies. Division 26 of the California Health and Safety Code establishes the District’s structure, operating procedures, and authority. The District provides a full range of air pollution control activities, including permitting, facility inspection, air quality attainment planning, rulemaking, air quality monitoring, and incentive programs. The District shares responsibility with the California Air Resources Board for ensuring that all state and federal air quality standards are achieved and maintained within Ventura County.

 

The Air Pollution Control District has a staff of about forty eight employees including inspectors, engineers, planners, technicians, and support staff. The District works with business and industry to reduce emissions from new and existing sources. The District is divided into divisions. They include Fiscal and Administrative Services, Compliance, Engineering, Rule Development & Incentive Programs, Information Services, Monitoring, Planning and Evaluation.

 

The Air Pollution Control Officer

The District's Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) is charged with the authority to direct APCD staff. The APCO makes policy recommendations to the Air Pollution Control Board and is responsible for implementing Board decisions.

 

Ali Reza Ghasemi, was unanimously chosen by the Air Pollution Control Board to serve as the Air Pollution Control Officer/Executive Officer effective June 14, 2022. Prior to his appointment, he has been serving as the Interim Air Pollution Control Officer for the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (District) since his appointment by the APC Board in April 2022. Mr. Ghasemi was also the District’s Planning and Engineering Manager. He joined the District in 2018 after serving more than 28 years with Southcoast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). During his public sector career, he has held number of professional lead positions managing Planning, Rule Development, engineering, emission inventory and Incentive/Grants Programs.

 

Mr. Ghasemi has a Bachelor and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Southern California (USC) and hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license in Mechanical Engineering.