Henri Bisson, director of the United States Bureau of Land Management in Utah, announced last week the selection of three managers to fill key positions within the state last week.
The managers will report to Utah BLM beginning Sept. 17.
“I’m pleased to welcome these new managers to the Utah BLM leadership team,” commented Bisson . “Their combined expertise, broad perspectives and commitment to working with the public will help ensure our responsiveness to concerns on public lands in Utah.”
Selected as manager for the Price field office, Roger Bankert brings a wealth of experience that will be invaluable during the continued work on developing a final resource management plan to care for public lands that serve as the gateway to the red-rock country of the San Rafael Swell.
Bankert has extensive experience in land use planning as well as in-depth knowledge and background in energy development that will ensure Utah’s special areas are managed in a responsible manner while meeting today’s needs, according to the federal agency.
“Roger is an ideal candidate for the Price field office,” said Bisson. “With his diverse knowledge of public lands and hands-on experience, he will ensure that we continue to work towards achieving the agency’s multiple-use objectives in a manner that best meets the needs of public lands in Utah and the American public.”
Bankert has a bachelor’s of science degree in petroleum engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. He is also is a recent graduate of the BLM’s 2005 leadership academy.
Bankert’s most recent position with the federal agency was as acting field manager at the BLM field office in New Castle, Wyo.
Brad Exton will serve as manager for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah.
Exton is no stranger to Utah, having worked in Vernal and at other locations across the state in past years, pointed out the federal agency.
Extending across nearly two million acres of Utah public lands, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a dramatic, multi-hued landscape, rich in natural and human history.
“Brad’s strong leadership as well as his experience and education make him an excellent choice for the position of monument manager,” said Bisson.
Exton has a bachelor’s of science degree in forestry from the University of Missouri, Columbia. He was recently deputy supervisor for the Black Hills National Forest.
Exton has received numerous awards for his leadership, partnership success and community relations, according to the Utah BLM director.
Mary Wilson will fill the position of chief of external affairs for the BLM’s Utah state office.
“We are very excited that Mary agreed to accept this position,” said Bisson. “Her extensive experience in public affairs and as a congressional liaison and also organizational development coordinator will easily aid her in the development of community and outreach plans that will benefit the entire state of Utah.”
Wilson has a master’s of arts degree in English literature from Saint Mary College in Kansas. She has filled a number of key positions in public relations.
Wilson’s most current position was as public affairs specialist for the BLM field offices in Rawlins and Lander, Wyo
[dfads params='groups=4969&limit=1&orderby=random']
[dfads params='groups=1745&limit=1&orderby=random']