On the Move: Dec. 17, 2021
Andrew Baker accepted the position of National Fire Planning assistant director for Fire and Aviation Management in Atlanta, Georgia. Baker currently serves as district ranger for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in the Southern Region.
Charles Chew accepted the position of branch chief of Strategic Planning, Performance and Evidence for the Office of Strategic Planning, Budget, and Accountability in Missoula, Montana. Chew currently serves in the Strategic Planning, Budget, and Accountability staff as a budget analyst in the Business Analysis Branch for the Washington Office.
Diana Craig accepted the position of director of Ecosystem Management for the Pacific Southwest Region in Vallejo, California. Craig currently serves as deputy director for Ecosystem Management for the Pacific Southwest Region.
Michael Fracasso accepted the position of assistant director of Minerals & Geology Management for the National Forest System in Lakewood, Colorado. Fracasso currently serves as assistant director for Geologic Resources, Hazards and Services for the Washington Office.
Gina Jorgensen accepted the position of field representative for the St. Paul Field Office for State & Private Forestry in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jorgensen currently serves as assistant director for Communications and Science Delivery at the Northern Research Station in Minnesota.
Dr. Toral Patel-Weynand will serve as Acting Associate Deputy Chief for Research and Development in Washington, D.C., effective Jan. 3, 2022. Patel-Weynand is currently the Director for Sustainable Forest Management Research within Research and Development.
Arthur Phalo Jr. accepted the position of Volunteer Services program manager of Recreation, Heritage and Volunteer Services for the National Forest System in Washington, D.C. Phalo currently serves as the center director for the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps in North Carolina.
Dr. Robert “Rob” Progar will serve as Acting Director for Sustainable Forest Management Research within Research and Development in the Washington Office, filling in behind Dr. Patel-Weynand. Prograr currently serves as the National Program Lead for Entomology and Pathology and serves as lead for Invasive Species.
Veronica Rankin accepted the position of assistant director of Minerals & Geology Management for the National Forest System in Washington, D.C. Rankin currently serves as a supervisory physical scientist, branch chief, for the Air National Guard Restoration Branch, Dept. of the Air Force, Air National Guard Readiness Center at Andrews Air Force Base.
Sherri Thompson accepted the position of assistant director of Minerals & Geology Management for the National Forest System in Lakewood, Colorado. Thompson currently serves as assistant director for Leasable Resources for the Washington Office.