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WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2025 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced Tom Schultz will serve as the 21st chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service.
“Tom is the right person to lead the Forest Service right now, and I know he will fight every day to restore America’s national forests,” said Secretary Rollins. “Together, Tom and the incredible employees at the Forest Service will work to execute the agenda of President Donald J. Trump to make America’s forests healthy and productive again.”
Upon being sworn in, Schultz will replace Chief Randy Moore, who recently announced his retirement in a message to all Forest Service employees after serving the agency for over four decades.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be the next chief of the Forest Service. I will work tirelessly to further support and protect our rural communities. Working with our partners, we will actively manage national forests and grasslands, increase opportunities for outdoor recreation, and suppress wildfires with all available resources emphasizing safety and the importance of protecting resource values,” said incoming Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “Chief Moore has been a diligent public servant and has demonstrated his steadfast commitment to stewarding our national forests and grasslands. We thank him for his dedication and leadership.”
Kristin Sleeper, deputy under secretary for the Natural Resources and Environment mission area at USDA, added, “Schultz is a respected leader, who has more than 25 years of land management experience in the West and the South. I am excited to work closely with Secretary Rollins and him as we optimize our workforce and return to our fundamental mission of caring for the land and serving people.”
“Working to further healthier forests and a better Forest Service on behalf of the American people has been the honor of my life,” retiring Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said. “I am confident that Tom will continue to take steps to ensure the longevity, productivity, and splendor of our national forests and grasslands.”
The Forest Service Chief is responsible for the leadership and success in accomplishing the mission of the Forest Service. Established in 1905, the Forest Service manages 154 national forests and 20 grasslands across 43 states and is the foremost leader in federal forest management, research and development and wildland firefighting.
Background:
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Schultz previously served as vice president of resources and government affairs at Idaho Forest Group, where he led timber procurement operations and managed relationships with government officials at all levels. A former U.S. Air Force officer, Schultz also served as director of the Idaho Department of Lands, overseeing the management of several million surface acres of endowment lands and minerals. He held leadership roles in Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, managing the Trust Lands and Water Resources Divisions.
Schultz holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in political science from the University of Wyoming, and a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Montana.
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