Idaho’s Schultz Named Forest Service Chief

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Thursday the selection of Idaho’s Tom Schultz to serve as the 21st chief of the Forest Service.  Upon being sworn in, Schultz will replace Chief Randy Moore, who recently announced his retirement after serving the agency for over four decades.

“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.”

“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 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.”

The Forest Service Chief is responsible for the leadership and success in accomplishing the mission of the Forest Service.

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 also held leadership roles in Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, managing the Trust Lands and Water Resources Divisions.

“Congratulations to Idaho’s own Tom Schultz for being named the 21st Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Tom is a forester’s forester. With over 27 years of natural resource management experience, he is the no-nonsense leader our Western states urgently need to rein in the wildfire crisis and reinforce forest health,” noted Senator Jim Risch. “Tom’s selection to lead the U.S. Forest Service underscores President Trump and Secretary Rollins’ recognition of the immense value that Idahoans bring to restoring American greatness. I look forward to the good work Tom will accomplish for our nation and the West.”

"Congratulations to Tom Schultz on being named Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Tom's deep commitment to active forest management will be instrumental in tackling our nation's challenges of forest health, resilience, and catastrophic wildfires," said House Ag Chairman G.T. Thompson.  "I have no doubt he will do an excellent job, and I look forward to working with him to restore the health and productivity of America’s forests."

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