Boozman Statement on Swearing-in of Forest Service Chief Randy Moore

WASHINGTON- U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued the following statement on Randy Moore's swearing-in as the 20th chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Forest Service:

'Randy Moore has the experience necessary to take the helm of the Forest Service as we enter what could be another record fire season. His success in mitigating and responding to wildland fire in the Pacific Southwest Region will serve the agency well. I look forward to working with Chief Moore to bolster the important work the Forest Service does to help keep our forests healthy and working today and for generations to come.

Chief Moore's predecessor, Vicki Christiansen, worked tirelessly to deliver solutions and forge partnerships to improve the health, productivity and management of our nation's forests and grasslands. She leaves behind a legacy of honesty, integrity and hard work on behalf of the Forest Service, and I wish her well in her retirement.'

Background
On June 28, 2021, Randy Moore was selected by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve as the 20^th chief of the U.S. Forest Service after Vicki Christenson announced her retirement. Chief Moore became the first African American to lead the Forest Service upon being sworn-in to office.

Prior to being sworn-in as chief, Randy Moore had been serving as regional forester in the Pacific Southwest Region in California since 2007, where he had responsibility for 18 national forests, covering one-fifth of the state on 20 million acres of land. Additionally, he oversaw state and private forestry programs in Hawaii and the U.S. affiliated Pacific Islands. Previously, Moore served as the regional forester for the Eastern Region headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for five years.

Moore started his career in conservation in 1978 with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota. His Forest Service career began on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests in Colorado and the Comanche and Cimarron National Grasslands in Kansas. He served as deputy forest supervisor on the National Forests of North Carolina and the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri before serving as forest supervisor of the Mark Twain National Forest.