Jane Kollmeyer, the current deputy forest supervisor of the Helena National Forest in Montana, has been named the new forest supervisor of the Sawtooth National Forest.
Kollmeyer will replace Doug Gochnour, who has been the acting forest supervisor since September, when former Supervisor Ruth Monahan accepted a promotion as the regional director for recreation, lands and minerals in Alaska. Kollmeyer starts her new job Jan. 8, 2007.
"Jane has outstanding qualities that will be an asset to the forest and the intermountain region," Jack Troyer, regional forester for the Forest Service's Intermountain Region, said about Kollmeyer last week. "Her broad forestry background and great leadership skills will be a wonderful contribution."
In her 27-year career with the Forest Service, Kollmeyer has collected numerous awards for her performance. In 1990, she became the deputy district ranger on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest in Wallace, Idaho, and later served as district ranger on the Fortine Ranger District on the Kootenai National Forest and the Tally Lake Ranger District on the Flathead National Forest, both in Montana.
In addition to the Helena National Forest, Kollmeyer has been the acting forest supervisor on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and the Lewis and Clark National Forest in Great Falls, Mont.
Kollmeyer could not be reached for comment, but in a news release she said she was "thrilled and honored to be coming to the Sawtooth National Forest."
"The country is beautiful and I have been told that the forest employees here are outstanding," she said. "I am excited about working with them. I also look forward to working on natural resource issues with the people in the various communities throughout the forest.
"This is going to be a diverse, fascinating job with the added benefit of living in a great place."
Ed Waldapfel, spokesman for the Sawtooth National Forest, said the greatest challenges facing Kollmeyer are the Travel Management Plan, court-ordered grazing issues on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and Sun Valley Co.'s Bald Mountain Master Development Plan.
A native of Michigan, Kollmeyer graduated from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources with a bachelor of science degree in forestry in 1976.
She and her husband, Terry, plan to live in the Twin Falls area.
Kollmeyer will be responsible for the management and protection of the entire 2.1 million-acre Sawtooth National Forest, which stretches from the Raft River Division in northern Utah to Stanley and the Salmon River north of Ketchum. The 756,000-acre SNRA is also a part of the forest.
Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service
Jane Kollmeyer has been named the new forest supervisor of the Sawtooth National Forest. She most recently served as deputy forest supervisor of the Helena National Forest in Montana.
