Alabama Farm Boy Takes Over as Forest Service Chief
Today, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that Tony Tooke will become the new Chief of the U.S. Forest Service.
Tooke, who grew up on a 200-acre farm outside Detroit, Ala., has been with the Forest Service since he was 18.
Now, Tooke is responsible for 3,100 employees, an annual budget exceeding $400 million, 14 national forests, and two managed areas, which encompass more than 13.3 million acres in 13 states and Puerto Rico, according to a published statement released today by the USDA Office of Communications.
His previous position in Washington, D.C. was as the associate deputy chief for the National Forest System. In that role he had oversight of Lands and Realty, Minerals and Geology, Ecosystem Management Coordination, Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers, the National Partnership Office, and Business Administration and Support Services.
