Bruce Kjerstad—2012 Engineering Technician of the Year

Bruce Kjerstad works as the roads engineer at the Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming. He is recognized for his leadership on and response to forest emergency transportation issues and for his contributions to the successful planning, design, and construction of capital improvements projects in aquatic organism passage, developed recreation facilities, and trails.

Bruce grew up on a ranch near Wall, SD. He graduated from Black Hills State College in 1979 with a degree in sociology. He began working for the Forest Service in 1978 as a seasonal employee at the Black Hills National Forest before taking a permanent position in 1979. In 1980, he moved to Sheridan, WY, to work at the Bighorn National Forest. He has performed a wide variety of tasks, including survey, design, contract preparation and administration, as well as the construction of buildings, water systems, wastewater systems, campgrounds, trails, and roads. He also has worked as a permit administrator and conducted deferred maintenance surveys for the forest’s recreation sites.

Bruce’s wife Karen is a registered nurse at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. They have three sons: Casey, a chemist for the State of Montana, Chad, an Air National Guardsmen, and Brian, a high school sophomore. Bruce enjoys watching Brian play football, basketball, baseball, and run track. He also enjoys traveling, motorcycling, gardening, and building things.