By KRWG News
Silver City – Regional Forester Corbin Newman announced the selection of Kelly Russell as the new Forest Supervisor for the Gila National Forest in southwestern New Mexico.
"Kelly brings a wealth of experience in wildlife as well as with collaboration with numerous individuals and groups on forest stewardship projects," stated Newman. "Her knowledge and experience will be a great asset to the forest and the Southwestern Region," he added. Kelly will begin her new job on March 14, 2011.
Kelly is a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and has worked in Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, and California in various positions. She is currently the Deputy Forest Supervisor on the Klamath National Forest in northern California.
Prior to her assignment on the Klamath National Forest, Kelly was the Oklahoma District Ranger on the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma. Kelly received a degree in Biology from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and attended graduate school in Fisheries at Auburn University in Alabama.
Kelly was born in Alabama. She served two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone, West Africa.
Regional Forester Corbin Newman acknowledges the great job Derek Padilla has done while serving as Acting Forest Supervisor on the Gila National Forest. "Derek's years of resource management experience plus his excellent interpersonal skills enabled the Forest to experience an easy transition during the retirement of former Forest Supervisor Dick Markley," he stated. Upon Kelly's arrival on the Forest, Derek returns to his home unit as District Ranger for the Cuba Ranger District on the Santa Fe National Forest.