Bob Jacobs to Oversee Forest Service Southern Region

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today announced Bob Jacobs will lead the Southern Region as its regional forester in Atlanta, Ga. The Southern Region encompasses 13 states and Puerto Rico, and covers more than 12.6 million acres.

Jacobs, previously the Eastern Region’s regional forester, replaces Elizabeth Estill, who today was named deputy chief, Programs and Legislation in the Washington Office.

Jacobs began his Forest Service career 1974 on the Ottawa National Forest, later serving in the eastern regional headquarters in Milwaukee as a budget analyst. He served as forest supervisor on the National Forests in Florida between 1986 and 1990 followed by a tour on the Washington Office staff as assistant director, Land Management Planning, and deputy director, Timber Management until 1992.

In 1992, he served as deputy regional forester, Pacific Northwest Region, where he was involved in controversial issues such as the spotted owl, old growth forests and the environmental impact statement for the Northwest Forest Plan.

Jacobs returned to Milwaukee in 1995 as the deputy regional forester and was soon promoted to regional forester of the 20-state Eastern Region.

Jacobs earned his bachelor’s degree in forestry from Michigan State University. He is a highly decorated U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. Jacobs and his wife, Peg, have two grown children, Emily and David.