Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Welcoming New Leadership to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Release Date: Feb 14, 2019
|
USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region 3040 Biddle Road |
Release Date: February 14, 2019
Contacts: Virginia Gibbons, RRSNF Public Affairs Officer (541) 618-2113
Welcoming New Leadership to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Medford, OR – A number of new leadership and staff positions have been filled on the forest, bringing new faces and energy to the management of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. We would like to welcome the following new leaders to the forest:
Chris O’Brien is currently serving as the Deputy Forest Supervisor on a 120-day detail assignment. Chris has worked for the Forest Service for 25 years and serves as the Ecosystem Staff Officer for the Lassen National Forest in California in his permanent position. An archaeologist by training, Chris has also worked as Public Services Staff Officer for the Lassen National Forest and had several details as District Ranger, Deputy Forest Supervisor and Forest Supervisor on several forests in California. Chris has B.S., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Anthropology from the University of California, Davis and the University of Wisconsin, Madison and spent almost three years in East African conducting archaeological excavations and living with a group of hunter-gatherers.
Chris’s wife, Carolyn, is a kindergarten teacher in Susanville, CA; their daughter, Caley, is continuing with her M.A. degree at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. Their son, Corey, is a free-lance illustrator and graduated from the Art Institute in Portland; he will soon be moving up to Ashland to further his career. In his spare moments, Chris enjoys hunting, fishing, and competitive shooting.
Both Chris and his wife grew up in Paradise, CA and were devastated by the effect of the Camp Fire on their hometown; several relatives and most of his childhood friends lost houses in that event.
Eric Burke is the new Natural Resources Staff Officer. Eric has developed his strong natural resource management skills through a combination of over 20 years of private and public sector work experience and several college-level degree programs. His highest level of education was achieved at Humboldt State University where he graduated with honors and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. Eric’s high level of professional skill and experience was recognized when he became licensed in the State of California as a Registered Professional Forester in 2008.
Throughout his career Eric has gained superior knowledge in Forest Management with a special emphasis on Vegetation Management. Eric has acquired both hands-on and technical skills throughout a full range of forestry applications from seed collection to timber harvest. In addition to his strong work ethic and practical experience, Eric has demonstrated his outstanding communication, problem-solving, and personnel management skills as project manager and/or administrator on various projects involving state, federal, private, and local agencies. In 2018, Eric completed a 120-day detail as District Ranger on the Tahoe National Forest at the Yuba River Ranger District where he held the position of District Vegetation Management Officer.
Eric and wife Martha have two young daughters, Sierra and Aspen, a Queensland Heeler (Hank) and a cat (Flaco). Eric grew up in Northern California in a small town just north of Chico, a predominantly farming and ranching community where he spent most of his time outside, riding bikes, swimming in creeks and ditches, building forts, and playing sports. Eric’s hobbies include camping, playing drums, fishing, spending time with his kids, and occasionally brewing beer.
Sarah LaDell is the new Administrative Officer who most recently worked for the Los Padres National Forest in California as an Administrative Operations Specialist. Sarah has held several positions in a number of capacities in the Forest Service. She also worked as a bank branch manager and interpretive ranger for the National Park Service. Sarah’s experience and strong communications skills will be an asset to our team. Sarah and her significant other, Christopher, are thrilled for the move. Sarah’s hobbies include traveling, gardening, cooking, reading about nutrition, kayaking, and snowboarding.
Wade McMaster is the new District Ranger at Gold Beach. Wade has been working on the forest since September 2018, serving as the Acting District Ranger for the Gold Beach and Powers Ranger Districts. Prior to this assignment, Wade worked for the Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest Service as the Tribal Relations Program Manager in Vallejo, CA. Prior to working at the Regional Office, Wade was the Tribal Relations Liaison for the Plumas, Lassen and Modoc National Forests. He also served as a District Ranger for the Feather River Ranger District on a 120-day detail. Wade is a member of the Wintu Tribe of Northern California, serving his 13th year as Tribal Chairman. Wade enjoys getting outdoors, writing and performing music, fishing and spending with his wife, Stacie, and their six children and 2 granddaughters.
Kathy Allen is the new District Ranger at Powers Ranger District. Kathy started her career with the Forest Service in 1989 on the Six Rivers National Forest working in a variety of administrative, human resource and civil rights positions. Since 2001, Kathy has been the Civil Rights Officer on the Six Rivers, serving on regional training cadres and mentoring other Civil Rights Officers. Kathy’s line officer experience includes two details as Deputy District Ranger and District Ranger. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Humboldt State University and is a recent graduate from the Middle Leader Development Program. Kathy and her husband Ross have one adult son, Cody, who is a seasonal firefighter with the Forest Service. She enjoys community volunteering as well as hosting and planning fundraisers to support local youth.
Please join us in welcoming these new leaders to the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. They are very excited to be here in service to the highly treasured public lands that we manage, as well as to the many unique communities we serve, across southwest Oregon.