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Kathleen Atkinson Named Eastern Regional Forester

Category: npaa

 Apr 16th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Apr 16th, 2013 at 12:00 AM

USDA Forest Service
Eastern Region

      MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (April 15, 2013) -Kathleen Atkinson is the Eastern Region’s new regional forester. She replaces Charles L. Myers, who retired in September 2012.

Atkinson comes to the Regional Office from the Forest Service’s national headquarters in Washington, D.C. where she has served as associate deputy chief for business operations since June 2011. Prior to this, she was the Agency’s director of strategic planning, budget and accountability. Her 30-year Forest Service career has encompassed a variety of positions and geographical locations.

“I am honored to be the next regional forester for the Eastern Region. The diversity of the Region, both in its forests and people, make it a beautiful and inviting place to work. I look forward to this opportunity,” stated Atkinson.

Atkinson began her Forest Service career as a seasonal employee in Wyoming. She has held several line officer positions, including forest supervisor for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (Georgia), deputy forest supervisor for the National Forests in Florida, and district ranger on Lousiana’s Kisatchie National Forest. Before this she was a recreation planner on the Kaibab National Forest (Arizona), a timber management assistant on the Ocala National Forest in Florida, and a silviculturalist on the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota. 

Atkinson grew up on a farm in southwestern Michigan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry from the University of Michigan, and a master’s in public administration from the University of South Dakota. She enjoys horseback riding, bicycling and art.

Her effective date was February 10 and her reporting date is April 14.

	Kathleen Atkinson