The mayor has appointed Michael Mann as interim director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment

Since 2003 Mann has served as the deputy director of the Office of Policy and Management, leading the department's Transportation and Infrastructure Team.

"I have great confidence in Mike's leadership abilities and I know he has the passion to protect the climate and improve the environment," said Mayor Greg Nickels.

Mann joined the mayor's staff in 2002, serving as director of Council Relations. Previously, he was the district director for Congressman Jay Inslee and a staff person with Seattle City Council.

The sustainability office leads the city's efforts to address climate protection by reducing its carbon footprint, and through restoring its greenbelts and tree canopy.

"I am honored to have this exciting and challenging opportunity," Mann said. "With the mayor's leadership on climate protection, our successes in Seattle will have a great impact on our nation's path to reducing greenhouse gases."

Mann fills the position vacated by Steve Nicholas, who led OSE over the past eight years. Nicholas has accepted a position as the director of Climate Programs at the Institute for Sustainable Communities, a non-profit organization based in Montpelier, Vt.