June 27, 2003
Friday - 12:30 am

Ketchikan, AK - Tom Puchlerz, Supervisor of the Tongass National Forest, has accepted a position with the Forest Service Regional Office in Missoula, Montana. Puchlerz, who has served as Supervisor of the 16.8 million acre National Forest since May of 1999, will become Director of Recreation, Minerals, Lands, Heritage and Wilderness, for the Northern Region of the USDA Forest Service.

"Tom has given outstanding leadership to the Tongass for the past four years," Alaska Regional Forester Denny Bschor said. "His work to unify the three previous areas of the Tongass into one National Forest has lead to enhanced effectiveness, consistency, and significant cost savings."

"Tom has also exerted tremendous personal effort to lead the Forest through a time that saw implementation of a new decision on the forest plan revision; major court cases on both the 1997 and 1999 Records of Decision on the forest plan; the 2001 Roadless Rule, development of the Tongass Roadless SEIS; and court cases on the Roadless Rule," Bschor noted. "Throughout these difficult times, Tom has worked tirelessly to support communities in SE Alaska and the industries many of them depend on.

Bschor added that Puchlerz will be missed by communities, employees, and all who care about the Tongass National Forest. "His even-handed, resource-oriented approach has helped build bridges and partnerships that will serve southeast Alaska for years to come." No reporting date has been set, but it is anticipated to be in late summer.

Puchlerz graduated from Colorado State University in 1971 with a degree in wildlife management. He and Gerry have two adult daughters, who live in Wyoming and Oregon.

Source of News Release:

USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
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