NEWS RELEASE USDA Forest Service Washington, D.C.
Release No. 0812	Contact:	Press Office (202) 205-1134

Wagner to Lead Pacific Northwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service

WASHINGTON, August 22, 2008—U.S. Forest Service Chief Abigail R. Kimbell announced the appointment of Mary Wagner as Regional Forester of the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service.  Wagner will oversee 17 national forests and one national grassland within the states of Oregon and Washington. She is currently the Deputy Regional Forester for the Intermountain Region with oversight for Utah, Nevada, southern Idaho and eastern Wyoming.  Wagner succeeds Linda Goodman who recently retired.

“Mary brings a breadth of leadership experience in natural resource management and state and private forestry,” said Chief Kimbell.  “She set  a precedent as the first National Director of Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers in Washington, DC.  Mary will be an excellent Regional Forester and an outstanding addition to the national leadership of the Forest Service.

Mary served as the Forest Supervisor on the Dixie National Forest in Cedar City, UT.  Her other previous leadership positions include Deputy Forest Supervisor and District Ranger on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada, and District Ranger on the Ashley National Forest in Utah. Wagner began her career with the Forest Service in 1983 as a Forester on the Sawtooth National Forest in ID.

Wagner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management and a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah.

She will begin her new assignment in October 2008.