Meet the Directors

Meet the Director - Karl Tupper

Karl Tupper leads the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (SLO County APCD), where he works to protect blue skies and public health throughout the region. Since joining the District in 2011, Karl has held several key roles;  first in the Monitoring Division, then as Senior Air Quality Scientist, and later as Assistant APCO, before being appointed as Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer in 2025.

Karl has overseen SLO County’s extensive regulatory air monitoring network, advanced forecasting efforts, supervised the Compliance Team, and guided burn and emission inventory programs. He also played a pivotal role in reducing dust impacts and protecting public health downwind of the Oceano Dunes SVRA.

Before joining SLO County APCD, Karl coordinated the pesticide air monitoring program for Pesticide Action Network of North America. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Yale University and an Master in Science in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.

A proud Central Coast resident, Karl enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, riding bikes, hiking, and exploring the beauty of the region.

Want to reach out to Karl, click here to send him a message directly. 

Meet the Deputy Director - Dora Drexler

Dora Drexler was named the Deputy Air Pollution Control Officer in 2025 where she leads the managers of several divisions across the SLO County APCD. She works to ensure regulatory compliance, oversees permitting and emissions inventory, and leads efforts to protect public health and air quality across SLO County. With more than 23 years of experience at the SLO County APCD,  Dora brings expertise in air quality engineering and project leadership.

She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver and is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP), with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology & Quality Systems Management from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and further project management training from City University of Seattle.

Outside of her professional work, Dora loves to travel, bake cakes for her friends and coworkers and enjoy time with her family.

Want to reach out to Dora, click here to send her a message directly.