(KNOXVILLE, TN) The US Office of Surface Mining (OSM) today announced that Tim L. Dieringer has been named director of OSM's Knoxville, TN, Field Office.

Dieringer is currently Chief of OSM's Federal Reclamation Programs Division in Pittsburgh, PA. He will take over in Knoxville December 12, filling the position vacated earlier this year by the retirement of George C. Miller.

The Knoxville Field Office Director is a critical management position in OSM's Appalachian Region. The Knoxville Office is responsible for implementing the Tennessee Federal Regulatory Program.

Doug Siddell will continue to act as the Knoxville Field Office Director until October 23, 2004. At that time, OSM's Fred Klimas will be assigned to act as the Knoxville Field Office Director from October 24 through December 11, 2004.

Dieringer has worked for OSM since 1987 and has experience in both the regulatory and abandoned mine land programs. His previous management assignments with OSM include acting as the Tulsa, Oklahoma Field Office Director and managing the Ohio regulatory program as part of an Interpersonnel Agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.