Elkins, W.Va., (Hinton News) – Forest Supervisor Shawn Cochran has selected Robert West to serve as the new deputy forest supervisor on Monongahela National Forest which includes more than 919,000 acres in 10 counties in the highlands of West Virginia.
“Robert has served Monongahela National Forest well as the acting deputy forest supervisor over the past few months,” said Forest Supervisor Shawn Cochran. “His leadership and strategic thinking skills will be put to good use on managing all aspects of this national forest.”
West comes to the Monongahela after eight years of serving as the district ranger for the St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie Districts on the Hiawatha National Forest. He also served in temporary assignments as forest supervisor on the Shawnee and deputy forest supervisor on the Payette and Monongahela National Forests.
“I look forward to getting to know the Monongahela, assisting the folks who manage our forest, and working with local communities and partners in our shared stewardship of this very special place,” West said.
West began his federal career as a park ranger with the National Park Service in Montana. He has served as a partnership coordinator on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, a staff assistant in the Office of the Chief, and a program specialist in Fire and Aviation Management in Washington, D.C. He is enthusiastic about the outdoors, camping, flyfishing and classic cars. He and his wife Jessica are excited about this new opportunity and adventure.
For more information about Monongahela National Forest visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/mnf or https://www.facebook.com/ MonongahelaNF.
