Idahoan to lead Forest Service

Tom Schultz, who previously served as vice president of resources and government affairs at Idaho Forest Group based in Coeur d'Alene, was named Thursday to serve as the 21st chief of the U.S. Forest Service.

“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,” Schultz said in a press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Schultz will replace Randy Moore, who recently retired.

The Forest Service manages 154 national forests and 20 grasslands across 43 states, including Idaho.

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.