JUNEAU, Alaska- A new deputy forest supervisor for the Tongass National Forest was named today by Alaska Regional Forester Denny Bschor. 

Rebecca Nourse has been working in Washington, D.C. headquarters as the U.S. Forest Service Alaska Region’s Congressional Liaison since October 2006. Nourse will assume her duties late in August in Ketchikan. Becky replaces Olleke Rappe-Daniels who recently retired.

 “I am pleased to quickly fill this leadership position in place behind Olleke,” said Bschor. “Becky brings to the position both local knowledge of the Tongass through her seven years of experience on the forest and the valuable experience of working with interests in Washington, D.C.”

In her third assignment in the Alaska Region, Becky will work for Forrest Cole the current Tongass Forest Supervisor. Forrest said, “Becky will bring a great depth of understanding in working effectively with our congressional delegation, other federal agencies, the tribes and our partners. Her ability to build relationships will serve us well.”

Becky said, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with the local communities and Tribal governments on issues that are important to them. And I'm eager to renew and build relationships with the employees of the Tongass National Forest.”

Prior to her current position, Becky was the District Ranger of the Cordova Ranger District, on the Chugach National Forest from 2002-2006. This was her second assignment in Alaska with the Forest Service.

Becky graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. While in college, she worked for four seasons as a firefighter on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in Washington State, and then spent seven years working for the Washington Department of Wildlife. She returned to the Forest Service as a Fisheries Biologist on the Umatilla National Forest in northeastern Oregon in 1989, and then came to Ketchikan, Alaska in the early 1990’s to spend seven years working on Misty Fiords National Monument as the Fish and Wildlife Program Manager. From there, Becky went to central Idaho for a three-year assignment as a Deputy District Ranger on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

Becky said that she is looking forward to coming back to the Tongass and Ketchikan and immersing herself back into the culture, lifestyle and beauty of Southeast Alaska.