Black Hills National Forest

US Forest Service
Black Hills National Forest
1019 N. 5th Street
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-9200

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
605-673-9227

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest

Contact: Gwen Ernst-Ulrich (605) 673-9209, or email us at r2 blackhills webinfo@fs.fed.us

BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST INTERIM SUPERVISOR HAILS FROM DENVER

CUSTER, SD: MAY 19, 2005

Filling an acting forest supervisor role on a prominent national forest like the Black Hills is no small task, but Marisue Hilliard is well equipped for the challenge.

Hilliard, director of renewable resources in the Denver Rocky Mountain Regional Office, came to the forest last month to relieve Deputy Forest Supervisor Brad Exton of the lead supervisory responsibility until the newly selected supervisor, Craig Bobzien, arrives.

Hilliard’s Denver position involves overseeing ecology, fisheries, forest health, range, timber, and wildlife program areas. Her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in forestry and wildlife management from the University of Georgia serve as the foundation for her extensive forest-management experience.

“I consider it a great honor to have been given the opportunity to serve as the acting forest supervisor. The Black Hills employees are truly a dedicated cadre of public servants, and it’s a pleasure to be working with them,” Hilliard said.

A 24-year Forest Service veteran, Hilliard spent most of those years in Alabama and Georgia. She began her career as a student intern in the Washington Office.

Married and a mother of three, Hilliard enjoys camping, hiking, quilting, and teaching children’s Sunday school.

“As I travel around and learn more about the area, I continue to be struck by how special the citizens of South Dakota view the Hills,” Hilliard said.

For more forest information, visit the Black Hills National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/news/.