Announcements about new hires, appoints, and outgoing professionals at National Trail nonprofits and Federal partner agencies.
We Welcome:
Photo courtesy USDA Forest Service.
Randy Moore, Forest Service Chief
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of Randy Moore as the 20th Chief of the USDA Forest Service on June 28, 2021. Moore, who served as Regional Forester in the Pacific Southwest Region in California since 2007, is the first African American to hold the position.
Photo courtesy National Park Service.
Doug Neighbor, Superintendent, Natchez Trace Parkway
National Park Service (NPS) acting Regional Director Pedro Ramos announced the selection of Douglas “Doug” Neighbor as the new superintendent of Natchez Trace Parkway, Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site, and Tupelo National Battlefield. Neighbor is a 30-year NPS veteran.
Photo courtesy USDA Forest Service.
Lindsey Steinwachs, USDAFS Pacific Crest Trail Administrator
The USDA Forest Service selected Lindsey Steinwachs as the new Pacific Crest Trail Administrator. She has a Master’s Degree in Parks and Resource Management and several years of experience working in National Forests along the trail, including serving as a recreation officer in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada.
We bid farewell to:
- Laurie Potteiger: Retired as Appalachian Trail Conservancy Information Services Manager after 33 years of service.
- Bridget Likely: Stepped down as New England National Scenic Trail Planner with the Appalachian Mountain Club.
- Roger Peterson: Retired as USDA Forest Service Public Affairs Specialist for the Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail after 35 years of service.
More Comings and Goings:
Department of the Interior
- The White House announced the intent to nominate Tommy Beaudreau as Deputy Secretary of the Interior
- Shannon Estenoz was appointed as Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
National Park Service
- Pamela A. Smith, a 23-year veteran of the USPP, was named the new Chief of the United States Park Police, becoming the first African American woman to lead the 230-year-old agency.
- Michelle Wheatley was selected as the new Superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
- Chad Fisher was selected as the NPS Chief for the branch of Wildland Fire leading the team responsible for operations, science and ecology, and planning and budget for the NPS wildland fire management program.
- Keena Graham was named Superintendent of Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument in Mississippi.
- Hanako Wakatsuki was named Superintendent at Honouliuli National Historic Site in Hawaii.
- Stephen Thede was named Superintendent of Nez Perce National Historical Park in Idaho, also overseeing operations at Big Hole National Battlefield in Montana and Whitman Mission National Historic Site in Washington.
- The NPS announced that Tracy Swartout has been selected to be the new Superintendent of Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Dawn Davis has been selected to be the first permanent Superintendent of Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in Kentucky.
- George Liffert was named Superintendent of Prince William Forest Park
- Darrell Echols was named Superintendent of Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Ann Honious was named Superintendent of Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area.
- Greg Dudgeon was selected as Mount Rainier National Park Superintendent.
- Lloyd Masayumptewa was selected as Superintendent of Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments in Arizona.
- Jim Ireland was selected as Superintendent of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
- James Hill was selected as Superintendent of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Montana and Wyoming.
US Department of Agriculture
- USDA Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen announced her retirement from the agency after 40 years of service.
- The USDA Forest Service has announced that Heather Provencio will serve as acting Director of Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of Meryl Harrell as Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE).
- Terry Cosby was appointed as Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
- Jennifer Eberlien was appointed as regional forester for the Pacific Southwest Region. Eberlien replaces incoming Chief Randy Moore, who has served as regional forester in the Pacific Southwest Region since 2007.
- Angela Coleman was named Associate Chief for the Forest Service. Coleman, who has served as acting associate chief since January 2020, will be the Forest Service’s highest-ranking executive under incoming Chief Randy Moore.
Bureau of Land Management (New Mexico)
- Dr. Cynthia Herhahn has been chosen to be the co-Administrator for the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. Cynthia was named after the previous co-administrator, Terry Heslin, retired.
Submit ‘Comings and Goings’ at your organization for publication in Pathways’ print or online versions to: communication@pnts.org