NEWS RELEASE USDA Forest Service Washington, D.C.
Release No. 0806	Contact:	Press Office (202) 205-1134

Forest Service Announces New Director of Forest Management

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2008—Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell today announced the appointment of Tom Peterson as the Director of Forest Management. This position is responsible for guiding activities to maintain and improve the health, diversity and productivity of the National Forest system.

“Tom brings a wealth of on-the-ground experiences and innovative approaches for integrated resources management to assure forest health and productivity,” said Kimbell. “I look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Since March of this year Peterson has served as Acting Regional Forester for the Southern Region of the Forest Service. He has been the Deputy Regional Forester for Natural Resources in the Southern Region since August of 2005.

Peterson began his career on the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan in 1973. He later worked on the Chequamegon National Forest, Mark Twain National Forest, and Superior National Forest in the Eastern Region. In 1994 he accepted a position in the Eastern Regional Office on the Forest Management Staff until 1998 when he moved to the Forest Management Staff in Washington, D.C.

In 2001, Peterson was named Regional Director for Forest Management in the Southern Region, based in Atlanta, until he was selected for the Deputy Regional Forester for Natural Resources.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, MN, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Forest Management from the University of Minnesota in 1972.

He is expected to report to his new assignment in early July, 2008.