Dixie National Forest to welcome a new Forest Supervisor in early February
OGDEN, Utah — Intermountain Regional Forester Jack Troyer announced today that Rob MacWhorter has been selected as the Forest Supervisor for the Dixie National Forest. MacWhorter comes to the Dixie from the Plumas National Forest in California where for the past five years he served as the Deputy Forest Supervisor.
“Rob’s 27 years of experience at the district, forest and national level will provide outstanding leadership on the Dixie in natural resource management,” said Troyer. “His experience will be a tremendous asset to the Intermountain Region.” MacWhorter served for two years (2000 -2002) in the Washington Office of the Forest Service as the Chief of Staff for the Deputy Chief of the National Forest System, dealing with issues and natural resource management of the national forests throughout the nation.
MacWhorter began his Forest Service career on the Winema National Forest in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 1978 as a silviculturist. MacWhorter spent 10 years as a District Ranger on the Freemont National Forest and the Ochoco National Forest both in Oregon. Most recently, MacWhorter was the Deputy Forest Supervisor on the Plumas National Forest and spent extended periods as the Acting Forest Supervisor on the Plumas and Cleveland National Forests. He is a certified silviculturist and has years of experience in vegetation management and fire fuels management. MacWhorter graduated from West Virginia University in Morgantown in 1974 earning a bachelor’s of science in Natural Resource Management.
“I look forward to working with the people who care about and use the national forests in southern Utah,” said MacWhorter. “My family and I look forward to becoming part of the Cedar City community.” MacWhorter is married to Susan Skakel, also a Forest Service employee and they are the parents of two daughters and recently became grandparents. His interests include spending time with his wife and children. He enjoys hiking, bicycling, fishing, cross-country skiing, canoeing and community events.
MacWhorter replaces Bob Russell who retired in June of 2006. Kevin Schulkoski Ecosystem Staff Officer for the Dixie National Forest has served as the acting Forest Supervisor since Russell’s retirement. MacWhorter will start in early February.
The Dixie National Forest headquartered in Cedar City, Utah, stretches for about 170 miles, encompassing nearly 2 millions-acres across southern Utah. MacWhorter will start early February.