PRIOR BACKGROUND

USDA FOREST SERVICE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT (1996-2014)

STAFF DIRECTOR (Senior Executive) Washington, DC

Chief Executive for the Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) program—the Nation’s tree census. Used inventory information to prepare regional/national analyses and assessments of forest conditions and trends for domestic and international requirements. Led adoption of new technologies, including use of satellite imagery for data collection, geospatial analysis, and map-based information reporting. Created strong bi-lateral and multi-lateral relationships with other countries and partners to improve their capacities to do forest inventories, resource monitoring, analyses, and reporting.

FOREST INVENTORY & ANALYSIS PROGRAM. Led the transition from a periodic inventory to an annualized inventory, including development of new statistical procedures, aggressive new performance metrics and greater financial transparency. Broadened and deepened client support for FIA program, growing the program from $16 million annually (1996) to $70 million (2014).
NATIONAL FOREST ASSESSMENTS. Led teams preparing national assessments of renewable resource current conditions, recent trends, and projected futures (Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessments in 2000 and 2010).
NATIONAL REPORTS ON SUSTAINABLE FORESTS. Led team that developed first two reports in 2003 and 2010.
GLOBAL FOREST RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS. Worked with the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization to prepare the 2000, 2005, and 2010 GFRAs. Also worked with the United Nations Statistics Division team developing a global framework for environmental statistics and reporting.
IMPLEMENTED NEW TECHNOLOGIES. Developed new ways to use remote sensing and geospatial analyses in resource assessments.
ASSISTED OTHER COUNTRIES. Conducted technical assistance visits to review forest inventory programs and advise leaders on improvements in India, Nepal, Bhutan, People’s Republic of China, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.
SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY. Led scientific integrity, research misconduct, and science ethics policy-making and implementation for the entire Forest Service. Pioneered implementation of "Code of Scientific Ethics" for Forest Service, leading to the U.S. Department of Agriculture adopting the same code department-wide.
IMPROVED AGENCY'S LEADERSHIP DIVERSITY. Mentored women and people of color, helping them succeed as new leaders.

EARLIER IN CAREER (Before 1995)

ASSISTANT STATION DIRECTOR, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Philadelphia, PA 1991-1996. Responsible for 11 research units spanning forestry, wildlife, watershed, urban forestry, and socio-economic research. Won Chief's Award for Technology Transfer, 1993.

LEGISLATIVE FELLOW, United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Provided forestry expertise to the Majority Chief Counsel of the Committee and constituent services related to natural resources to Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Wrote sections of bills dealing with forests and rural development and led investigation of Department of the Interior over failure to protect the Appalachian Trail corridor in New England.

STAFF FORESTER, Forest Service Headquarters, Washington, DC. Several different roles related to strategic planning and budgeting for the Research & Development mission area and special studies for the Deputy Chief.

RESEARCH FORESTER, Southern Forest Experiment Station, New Orleans, LA. Conducted research studies at the intersection of forest management, silviculture, and economics.