VICKI CHRISTIANSEN

Chief, Dept. of Agriculture's Forest Service 

Vicki Christiansen serves as Chief of the U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service, leading a workforce of more than 28,000 permanent employees who steward 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands; support the worlds largest forestry research organization; and work with states, tribes and others to sustain all forests so they can benefit all citizens, today and in the future. Over her 39-year career, she has accumulated a wealth of experience in natural resource and wildland fire management. Her commitment to the core values of the Forest Service, which are conservation, service, interdependence, diversity and safety, is evident in the priorities she sets for the agency. As Chief, Vicki is leading agency efforts to improve the conditions of Americas forests and grasslands by modernizing how we do business to increase active forest management and deliver landscape conservation through shared stewardship with local, state and national partners and tribes. Vickis focus on relationships inside and outside the agency is reflected in the Forest Services dedication to caring for the land, communities and the people we serve.  

Vicki joined the Forest Service in 2010 as the Deputy Director of Fire and Aviation Management. Prior to serving as Chief, she worked as Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry. Before joining the Forest Service, she served as the Arizona State Forester and director of the Arizona Division of Forestry.  She had previously served as the Washington State Forester, the culmination of a 26-year career with Washington State Department of Natural Resources.