Willamette National Forest welcomes new forest supervisor
Springfield, Ore., May 12, 2020 – Dave Warnack has been selected as the new forest supervisor for the Willamette National Forest effective April 26, 2020. He previously served as the deputy forest supervisor on the Umpqua National Forest for five years and is now responsible for leading a 1.8-million-acre forest with nearly 400 permanent and seasonal employees. Tracy Beck, the former forest supervisor on the Willamette National Forest, retired in April 2020.
“Dave makes room at the table for all perspectives when stewarding both natural and workplace environments,” said Pacific Northwest Regional Forester Glenn Casamassa. “Dave’s commitment to considering the viewpoints of others will help strengthen and further advance the work occurring on the Willamette National Forest.”
“Dave’s commitment to considering the viewpoints of others will help strengthen and further advance the work occurring on the Willamette National Forest.”
-Pacific Northwest Regional Forester Glenn Casamassa
Warnack’s career runs the gamut. He has been with the Forest Service for over 20 years and has extensive fire management experience. His background is in recreation and wilderness management as well as collaborative forestry. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1998, and immediately went to work as a wilderness and trails technician in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness where he helped build the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Additionally, Warnack has held leadership positions as a district ranger on the Lincoln National Forest and as acting forest supervisor on the Gila, Rogue River – Siskiyou, and Gifford Pinchot National Forests. He is also an advanced agency administrator and co-chairs the regional line officer teams that work on fire-related issues for Regions 6 and 10.
“Partnerships between the Forest Service and local communities are of key importance,” said Willamette National Forest Supervisor Dave Warnack. “We want to remain relevant in our local communities and be transparent in our communication.”
Warnack and his wife are raising three teenagers and currently reside in Roseburg, OR.
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