Andrew Kreider is a 10th-generation Pennsylvanian and first-generation college graduate. As a high schooler in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, he wanted to help save the planet. So, he set up a recycling center in his parent's newly built mud room and begged his mom to take him to the large recycling center for drop offs on the weekends.

Andrew's strong environmental ethic led to a 29-year career at the Environmental Protection Agency, much of which he spent at the EPA's Region 3 Office in Philadelphia. He managed the Brownfields Project for seven years, creating opportunities for economic growth across the Mid-Atlantic region. During his tenure, the program funded grants that provided jobs for communities, such as Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he got to help the town revitalize and restore Roberto Clemente Park.

For the last few years, Andrew served as a Senior Government and Public Affairs Liaison and as Communications Director. Andrew coordinated relationships with US Senate and House offices and was the first point of contact for elected officials seeking assistance from the EPA.

In January of 2025, Andrew had no plans to retire. He had served under six administrations and five different presidents. Presidential transitions did not normally affect the day to day operations at the EPA, but the second Trump administration was different.

The administration terminated grants and violated union contracts. Employees were sent home on administrative leave, then asked to return to the office, then fired, and then un-fired. EPA employees were told not to answer grant recipients' questions about their grants and funding. With hundreds of organizations relying on grant funding which had been pulled without notice, members of Congress contacted EPA to find out what was going on. Andrew was instructed to stonewall Congress members and tell them that everything was "normal." Andrew refused to lie.

While on annual leave in March, Andrew participated in the American Federation of Government Employees' EPA Solidarity Walk in Philadelphia to protest the administration's attacks on the EPA workforce. The Philadelphia Inquirer photographed and interviewed Andrew. The next day the EPA's new Administrator saw the article and Andrew's photograph. The new Administrator singled Andrew out and told top EPA officials that Andrew was the kind of employee who made his job more difficult.

Ten days later, Andrew was removed from his position and was no longer able to interact with the public or members of Congress.

Andrew had a choice to make. Keep his job or his voice? Andrew chose to keep his voice and to use his freedom of speech to speak out about matters of public concern, such as the destruction of the EPA and civil service jobs. Andrew took the second Deferred Resignation Program offer and left EPA in June. Andrew is remaining hopeful for our country and emphasized, "Hope is not a feeling. It is a choice, and it is a choice that demands action."

These days you can find Andrew in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he is the Director of Communications for Chester County. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the individuals providing them and do not necessarily represent the views of the FBI, the DOJ, the EPA, the United States, or any past or current employers.