Kisatchie National Forest

 

 

Abigail R. Kimbell (Above left), the 16th Chief and first female Chief of the US Forest Service grew up in New England , where she spent her formative years hiking, fishing, and camping on the White Mountain National Forest . She received a bachelor's degree in forest management from the University of Vermont in 1974 and later a master's degree in forest engineering from Oregon State University .

She worked as a seasonal employee before beginning her Federal forestry career in 1974 with the Bureau of Land Management in Medford , Oregon . She then joined the Forest Service as a pre-sale forester in Kodiak , Alaska , in 1977. She next worked in Oregon as a logging engineer and then a district planner. She served as a district ranger in Kettle Falls , Washington on the Colville National Forest from 1985-88, and on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in La Grande, Oregon , from 1988-91, and as forest supervisor of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska (1992-97) and the Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming (1997-99).

From 1999-2002, Kimbell was the forest supervisor for the Pike and San Isabel National Forests and the Comanche National Grassland—all in Colorado—as well as the Cimarron National Grassland in Kansas. In May 2002, Kimbell began work as the associate deputy chief for the National Forest System lands in the Forest Service Washington, DC headquarters. During her tenure as associate deputy chief, Gail's leadership was instrumental in helping to carry out the Healthy Forests Initiative and she provided support in the development of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003.

In December 2003, Kimbell was named as the Regional Forester for the Northern Region located in Missoula , Montana . She assumed her current position as Chief of the US Forest Service on February 5, 2007 .

Kimbell is a member of the Society of American Foresters.

Sally Collins (above right) was named associate chief for the USDA Forest Service August 2001.

Sally Collins was named Associate Chief for the USDA, Forest Service, August 2001.

The Forest Service provides leadership for the protection and sustainable use of the Nation's forested lands, more than one-third of the United States , and related natural resources. The agency carries out these responsibilities in every state, with an annual budget of $4 billion and a 30,000-employee workforce. It provides international leadership and advises many countries on conservation issues.

Prior to her selection as Associate Chief, Collins had been the Associate Deputy Chief for the National Forest System since April 2000. With over more than 20 years with the Forest Service in both Washington DC and Oregon , she has held positions including Deputy Forest Supervisor and Forest Supervisor of the Deschutes National Forest and Planner on the Siuslaw National Forest . She worked for with the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado for four years, serving as a Wilderness Specialist, Environmental Coordinator, and Energy Minerals Coordinator.

She was born in Ames , Iowa and received her Bachelor's degree in Outdoor Recreation from the University of Colorado and her Master's degree in Public Administration, with a Natural Resources Emphasis, from the University of Wyoming .

Her spouse, John, is an oceanographer and their daughter, Casey, is a graduate student at the University of Colorado . They all enjoy outdoor activities, especially cycling and cross-country skiing.

     The Chief and Associate Chief are assisted by the following Departments which are listed in no particular order:

• National Fire Plan Leader
• Chief of Staff
• Director of International Programs
• Deputy Chief of State and Private Forestry
• Deputy Chief of Research and Development
• Deputy Chief of the National Forest System
• Director of Law Enforcement and Investigations
• Deputy Chief of Budget and Finance
• Deputy Chief of Business Operations
• Deputy Chief of Programs and Legislation
• Forest Products Lab Director
• Station Directors
• Regional Foresters
• State and Private Forestry Southeast Director
• IITF Director

The Southern Region Organization(Region 8)

The Regional Forester Elizabeth Agpaoa(pictured right) is assisted by the following Departments, listed in no particular order:

• The Regional Forester also oversees the Following:
• U.S. Forest Service Savannah River
• National Forests in Alabama
• Ouachita National Forest
• Ozark - St Francis National Forest
• Florida National Forests
• Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests
• Daniel Boone National Forest
• Kisatchie National Forest
• National Forests in Mississippi
• National Forests in North Carolina
• U.S. Forest Service Caribbean
• Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
• Cherokee National Forest
• National Forests in Texas
• George Washington and Jefferson National Forest

• Office of the General Council
• Office of Civil Rights
• Office of Public Affairs
• Employment Complaints Unit
• Early Intervention Program
• Planning Department
• Recreation/Wilderness/Heritage Interpretation Unit
• Lands/Minerals and Uses Unit
• Engineering
• Human Resources Management Unit
• Southern Administrative Zone Human Resources Unit
• Human Resources Advisor
• Procurement and Property Unit
• Information System Unit
• Eastern Safety Health Enterprise
• Deputy Regional Forester State and Private Forestry
• Fire and Aviation Unit
• Law Enforcement and Investigations
• NFFE Local 2047
• Deputy Regional Forester Natural Resources
• Forest Management Timber Unit
• Biological and Physical Resources Unit
• Deputy Regional Forester Operations
• Natural Resources Administrative Support
• Operations Administrative Support
• Financial Management
• Southern Area Coordination Center
• Aviation Office
• Forest Health Protection Unit
• Forest Health Protection Unit Alexandria Office
• Forest Health Protection Unit Ashville Office
• Cooperative Forestry
• CF Staff at National Tree Seed Lab
• Planning, Support, and State and Private Forestry Budget Unit

Kisatchie National Forest Organization

Michael Balboni is the Kisatchie National Forest Supervisor. The Supervisor is assisted by the following persons and departments listed in no particular order:

• Kisatchie National Forest Secretary
• Administrative Officer Department
• Public Affairs Department
• Ecosystem Assessment and Planning Department
• Ecosystem Conservation Department
• Public Uses Services Department
• Fire/Lands/Facilities/Fleet Department
• Calcasieu Ranger District
• Caney Ranger District
• Catahoula Ranger District
• Kisatchie Ranger District
• Winn Ranger District