CONCORD, N.H. — Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has nominated a longtime business and manufacturing executive to head the state’s Department of Environmental Services.

Peter Kujawski will face questions Wednesday from the Executive Council and the public on his qualifications to lead a department charged with protecting the environment. He is a former executive at Sig Sauer and Nanocomp Technologies, and his resume shows little professional experience in environmental protection.

Several politicians and activists say Kujawski, who has never worked in state government, is little known in Concord.

“He’s kind of the new guy on the block,” Republican Councilor Joe Kenney said. “Everybody’s trying to look at his qualifications and background and understand what his vision and ideas are.”

Sununu announced Kujawski’s nomination last week but has not publicly commented on the choice. Kujawski directed all questions about his nomination to the governor’s office.

“Pete is the consummate professional and will be a competent, effective commissioner,” Sununu spokesman Dave Abrams said in a statement.


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