Senate Confirms Paige Hallen Hanson as EPA’s Chief Financial Officer

Veteran budget strategist steps into top financial role at the Environmental Protection Agency, guiding oversight of billions in public funds.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• August 04, 2025

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Paige Hallen Hanson as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Environmental Protection Agency, placing her in charge of managing the agency’s nearly $100 billion budget and more than 300 employees. Hanson, appointed by President Donald J. Trump, will be responsible for EPA’s financial operations, including budget formulation, financial systems, resource planning and performance management.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin welcomed Hanson’s confirmation, citing her decades of government and financial experience.

“Paige brings a wealth of expertise in complex budgets and over two decades of government and financial experience to EPA,” Zeldin said. “She understands the importance of stewarding every cent of taxpayer money and is uniquely and highly qualified to serve as EPA’s Chief Financial Officer. I look forward to working with Paige in this new role to make EPA more transparent and efficient as we carry out our mission of protecting human health and the environment.”

Hanson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead EPA’s financial division.

“I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to lead EPA’s financial operations,” she said. “From budgeting to payments, performance measures to financial technology, the work of this talented team enables the critical mission EPA plays in protecting human health and the environment.”

A native of South Carolina, Hanson most recently served as a Senior Fellow at the Tax Foundation and as a CFO in the private sector. She previously worked on Capitol Hill as a staff member for the Joint Economic Committee and Senate Budget Committee and advised a member of the Senate Appropriations and Finance Committees. She also served as EPA’s Associate CFO for Policy during Trump’s first term.

Hanson holds an MBA from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in government and economics from Wofford College.

Her confirmation drew praise from lawmakers and former EPA officials.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said, “I am very pleased that South Carolina’s own Paige Hanson has been confirmed... Paige will be a great asset to Administrator Zeldin and the rest of the agency as they work to return it to its original mission: being good stewards of America’s natural environment while also supporting economic growth.”

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., added, “Paige brings proven financial expertise, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to public service that will serve the EPA and the American people well.”

Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., called Hanson’s appointment “a fantastic choice,” saying her financial leadership would support EPA’s goals of environmental protection and domestic energy production.

Andrew Wheeler, former EPA Administrator, said Hanson “has the experience and knowledge the agency needs.”

Ryan Jackson, former EPA Chief of Staff, called Hanson “perfectly qualified,” citing her previous tenure at the EPA and years of budget experience on Capitol Hill.