Fire and Aviation Staff Officer Retires After 38 Years Of Service

For Immediate Release

Date: December 31, 2008

Contact: Supervisor's Office - 928-527-3600

Flagstaff, AZ — Bruce Greco, fire and aviation staff officer for the Coconino National Forest, is retiring after 38 years of service in the Forest Service. Greco, a second-generation forester, has been Coconino’s fire and aviation staff officer for the past 6 years but actually began his career with the Forest Service in the early 70s.

After graduating from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Forestry in 1972, Greco worked on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in eastern Arizona, the San Bernardino National Forest in southern California, and he has been on the Coconino since 1976. Since then, Greco has served as a district ranger a total of 16 years at five out of Coconino’s six districts.

As part of the Flagstaff Zone Incident Management Team during the 1990’s, Greco played a vital leadership role during several critical fire seasons, and his career has also included work in silviculture, land management planning and ecosystem management.

“Bruce has provided valuable leadership skills and been a great asset to the Coconino Leadership Team that oversees the overall management of the Forest,” said Nora Rasure, Coconino Forest Supervisor. “With Bruce leaving, the Forest Service is losing one of its best, and he will be greatly missed.”

Greco’s last day will be Friday, and in the interim the acting fire and aviation staff officer responsibilities will handled by Deputy Fire Staff Officer Russell Copp until a new fire and aviation staff officer is selected.

“I feel very fortunate to have served much of my career caring for the rich and unique natural resources of northern Arizona,” said Greco. “I will miss being able to work on a daily basis with folks that care deeply for their national forests.”

The fire staff officer oversees the Fire and Aviation program on the Coconino National Forest.

The position is responsible for providing direction and guidance on implementation of the National Fire Plan, maintaining a well qualified and trained fire suppression organization, management of an interagency dispatch center and the forest’s aviation program.