Olympic National Forest news release – Friday, Aug. 24, 2012

Regional Forester Kent Connaughton has announced that Reta Laford will serve as Olympic National Forest’s new Forest Supervisor, replacing Dale Hom who retired in June. Amanda McAdams has been Acting Forest Supervisor since June and will be replaced by Laford on Sept. 17. 

“We are excited to welcome Reta to the Pacific Northwest Regional Leadership Team. Having worked at many levels of the organization, Reta brings a rich breadth of experience, which will benefit the Olympic National Forest and local communities. In addition to her back ground in natural resource management and NEPA, Reta is skilled at developing partnerships and working across boundaries,” Connaughton said.

Ms. Laford is currently the Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Coronado National Forest in Arizona. In addition to three temporary Forest Supervisor assignments for the Tonto, Coronado, and Prescott National Forests, she brings perspectives from all levels of the agency.  Prior to pursuing field leadership, she worked in the Washington Office as a Legislative Fellow (2007), Environmental Coordinator (2003-2006), and Appeals and Litigation Specialist (2002-2003).  Ms. Laford worked in the Eastern Regional Office in the NEPA, Appeals, and Litigation program areas (2000-2002).  With the exception of a one-year assignment as Environmental Coordinator for the Manti-La Sal National Forest, she was the Prescott National Forest’s Environmental Coordinator from 1995 to 2000.  She has also been a District Forester, NEPA Coordinator, and Staff Officer for Planning/Heritage/GIS (1989-1995). 

Her career started as a student trainee on the Murphy Lake and Rexford Ranger Districts of the Kootenai National Forest in 1984. Before her career with the Forest Service, she volunteered three summers with the Student Conversation Association, including a memorable experience in the Olympic National Park.