Forest Service names new regional forester

USDA Forest Service Interim Chief Vicki Christiansen announced Friday the appointment of Glenn Casamassa as the regional forester for the Pacific Northwest Region, effective Sept.17.

As regional forester, Casamassa will oversee management of 16 National Forests, two National Scenic Areas, a National Grassland, and two National Volcanic Monuments within the states of Oregon and Washington, the agency said in a news release, which continues below:

“As a Forest Service veteran for more than 30 years, Glenn brings with him tremendous land management and conservation leadership experiences from a ranger district to the Washington Office,” said Christiansen. “He, among other achievements, has played a leading role in the ongoing national regulatory reform efforts.”

Casamassa launched his public service career as a forestry technician, working as a firefighter on the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. He subsequently served in several temporary positions before landing his permanent job on the Tongass National Forest in Thorne Bay, Alaska. He later served as a forester on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Utah and as Regional Environmental Coordinator for the Intermountain Region.

Casamassa has been a district ranger on the Moab and Monticello Ranger Districts of the Manti-La Sal National Forest in Utah; a legislative affairs specialist in the Washington Office headquarters; and a Forest Supervisor for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland in Colorado.

Casamassa earned his bachelor’s degree in forest ecology at Utah State University and completed post-graduate work in logging system engineering at the Oregon State University College of Forestry in Corvallis. He is eager to get started in his new role.

“I am deeply committed to working with the employees, partners, Tribes and diverse stakeholders in the Pacific Northwest towards the shared stewardship of our nation’s forests and grasslands,” said Casamassa. “Being good neighbors and setting a standard of excellence for public and customer service are priorities for the region in working alongside the people who care for, value, and depend upon these lands.”

Casamassa will assume the role from Dianne Guidry, who has served as Acting Regional Forester since Jim Peña retired in July. Guidry provided critical leadership in supporting and directing the Region through this significant fire season while continuing to further the Region’s ongoing program of work. She will continue in her role as Deputy Regional Forester upon Casamassa’s arrival in September.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages the 193 million acres of National Forest System land, provides stewardship assistance to non-federal forest landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

For more information about the U.S. Forest Service visit http://www.fs.fed.us/.