Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF announces new supervisor

DILLON, Mt. — The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has announced that Alfred Watson will take over as its new forest supervisor in July.

Watson replaces previous supervisor Lisa Timchak, who retired in April.

He has decades of experience with the USFS and comes to this position from the Sequioa National Forest.

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest released the following information:

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is pleased to welcome Alfred Watson as its new Forest Supervisor. Alfred currently serves as a Kern Ranger District ranger in the Sequioa National Forest.

He will begin serving the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest on July 15, 2024 and replaces Lisa Timchak, who retired in April 2024.

During his decades-long career with the Forest Service, he held various positions in seven national forests. He joined the Sequioa National Forest in 2013 after serving as a district engineer at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. During his more than ten-year career in the Sequoia National Forest, Alfred also held temporary positions in the Olympic National Forest as Acting Forest Supervisor; Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest as Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor; and the Washington Office of Fire and Aviation Management as Acting Program Manager with State, Private and Tribal Forests.

“I am beyond excited to be a part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge team. Since I have worked at the Forest Service, building relationships with employees, user groups, tribes, visitors and partners is what brings me joy,” Watson said.

“As a leader, being a public servant is important to me and I am willing to roll up my sleeves to build trust with these groups. My short-term goal is to interact with as many individuals and groups as possible to better understand what the needs of this majestic landscape are.

Alfred holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Portland State University with a minor in Geotechnical Engineering. His love of the outdoors stems from his childhood in southern Oregon, where he explored nature with his sisters and brothers. In his free time, he can be found on local rivers, hiking trails, or looking for advice on improving his vegetable garden.

“The Regional Forester team truly appreciates Carol Hatfield and Anton Brennick for their leadership as Acting Forest Supervisor and Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor during this transition period,” said Tim Garcia, Region 1 Deputy Regional Forester. “Carol and Anton’s care for employees and communities during the transition has been exceptional. »