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Leadership Biographies

Tom Schultz

21st Forest Service Chief

Official portrait: Chief Tom Schultz in formal uniform in front of Forest Service and American flags.

Tom Schultz is Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, leading a workforce of approximately 33,000 employees that sustainably manages 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands, supports the world’s largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations, and works with tribes, states and other partners to manage America’s forests for the benefit of all people, today and into the future. Under his leadership, the Forest Service actively manages national forests and grasslands for the benefit of communities, promotes economic opportunities, increases outdoor recreation access, and works diligently at suppressing wildfires with all available resources, emphasizing the safety and importance of protecting resource values.

As the 21st Chief of the Forest Service, Schultz leverages his extensive expertise in the science of forestry, his on–the–ground experience with the Idaho Department of Lands and Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and his experience as a former U.S. Air Force Officer. His time in industry also gives him a deep understanding of markets and the role that raw material availability, quality, and price have in supporting a successful forest products industry.

Schultz believes in building relationships and trust by soliciting feedback from visitors to our public lands, tribes, states, and industry, as well as hunters, ranchers, recreators, and more. He is committed to the core mission of the Forest Service and leveraging his relationships to expand agency partnerships and build consensus. He feels strongly that actively managing our national forests and grasslands to improve their health, productivity and accessibility are key to enhancing economic opportunities in the counties and states where they are located.

Prior to serving as Chief, Schultz served as vice president of resources and government affairs at the Idaho Forest Group, where he led timber procurement operations and managed relationships with government officials at all levels. Schultz also served as director of the Idaho Department of Lands, overseeing the management of several million surface acres of endowment lands and minerals. He held leadership roles in Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, managing the Trust Lands and Water Resources Divisions.

Schultz holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in political science from the University of Wyoming, and a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Montana.

Schultz is a consummate outdoorsman and an avid fly fisherman, with a deep appreciation for the many benefits and resources public lands provide. He and his wife have three grown children.
 

Chris French

Associate Chief (acting)

Portrait of Chris French in USDA Forest Service dress uniform in front of the U.S. and USDA Forest Service flags.

Chris French serves as the acting Associate Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Deputy Chief of the National Forest System based in Washington D.C. In this role, Chris was responsible for policy, oversight and direction for natural resource management and public service delivery programs across the 193 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands in 44 states and territories that make up the National Forest System.

Chris began his 34 year USDA career on the Coronado National Forest in Arizona as volunteer in recreation and eventually started his permanent career in fire. Chris has served around the country in a variety of leadership positions on ranger districts, national forests, and at the national headquarters. He has worked across multiple programs including recreation, fire, fuels, wildlife, NEPA, forest planning, forest management, wilderness, and the enterprise program. Nationally, he has served as the Acting Undersecretary of Natural Resources and the Environment at USDA, Deputy Chief, Associate Deputy Chief, and Director of Ecosystem Management Coordination.

Chris is a graduate of Arizona State University, and avid outdoorsman, and devoted father and husband.