(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Tongass National Forest supervisor announced that Jason Anderson, currently Thorne Bay District Ranger on the Tongass, has accepted the position of Petersburg District Ranger. Anderson will assume the position officially February 12, 2012.

“Jason has played a leading role in fostering partnerships and collaboration on the forest, which is critical to our work and the way we do business,” said Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole. “He’s prioritized building a strong network of relationships with the communities on Prince of Wales, and he’ll bring that same emphasis to the position in Petersburg.”

Forest Partnerships and Public Affairs Staff Officer Erin Uloth affirmed Cole’s praise stating, “Jason leads by doing. He is a true optimist and brings that perspective to his work when approaching any problem or issue.”

Anderson began his career with the Forest Service in 2001. After four years as partnerships and public affairs staff officer on the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming, he moved to the Tongass in 2005 and has served as Thorne Bay District Ranger for the past six years. Prior to working for the Forest Service, Anderson spent ten years as a resource manager and river ranger for Stanislaus River Parks in California with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Anderson’s enthusiasm for the Tongass and its communities is apparent when talking about his work. “I have the greatest job ever, which is the product of working with the incredible employees of the Tongass, and the warm, welcoming communities that thrive within its borders. I look forward to serving Petersburg and Kake to the best of my abilities in the years to come, and am eager to learn new things and build new relationships when I get there."  

Deputy District Ranger Diana Perez from the Mount St. Helens District on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington will serve as acting Petersburg District Ranger from November 22 until Anderson’s arrival. Perez has been with the agency for 20 years and has experience working with collaborative groups and developing stewardship plans and contracts on the Gifford Pinchot and the Siskiyou National Forest in Oregon.

Source of News: 

U.S. Forest Service
http://www.fs.fed.us

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