Our leadership

Kurt Beckett was appointed as EFSEC Chair in January 2025. He brings nearly two decades of experience in management, environmental review, project operations and organizational strategy to the position. Prior to his EFSEC appointment, Kurt served as Chief Operating Officer at Strategies 360, working on wind, solar, battery storage and hydrogen generation and manufacturing projects. He previously served as the deputy CEO of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, a first-of-its-kind North American marine cargo operating partnership, and deputy CEO of the Port of Seattle. He also worked as District Director for U.S. Congressman Norm Dicks and State Director and Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. He has previously served on the Washington State Maritime Blue board, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, the University of Washington Center for Supply Chain, Transportation & Logistics, the International Association of Ports & Harbors Climate & Energy Committee, and continues as a board member for the University of Washington Tacoma Center for Urban Waters.

Sonia Bumpus was appointed as EFSEC’s first Executive Director in June 2022 and serves as the SEPA-responsible official for the agency. She comes to the role with over 15 years of project management experience working in environmental protection and regulation in state government. She has also worked for the US Department of Defense. After serving in an internship capacity for EFSEC in 2009, Sonia has worked continuously for the agency since 2013. During her time at EFSEC she has served in a variety of roles within the agency, including Siting Specialist, Siting Manager, Siting Compliance Manager, and Manager. She has a B.S. and a M.S. in Biological and Health Sciences from Evergreen State College.

Amí Hafkemeyer is the Director of Siting and Compliance for EFSEC. She oversees technical staff in their implementation of SEPA reviews and permit application reviews to process applications for site certification. Amí has been with the agency for over nine years. Amí’s previous roles at EFSEC include Siting Specialist and Siting and Compliance Manager. Prior to her time at EFSEC, she spent eight years working in the missile and aerospace defense industry in environmental compliance for water quality, air quality, and waste and hazardous waste management. Her degrees are both from the University of Arizona, receiving her B.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the College of Science, and her M.S. in Natural Resources with emphasis on Watershed Management and Ecohydrology from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.