“I’m excited to build on my experience with collaboration and partnerships to address the many challenges facing the Appalachian Ranger District,” Thornburgh said. “I find those are generally the keys to success, whether it’s trying to provide quality recreation experiences in the midst of increasing use, or working with local communities to improve the fire resilience of the forest around them so that we can try to avoid the next catastrophic wildfire.”

Thornburgh has worked for the U.S. Forest Service for the last 17 years beginning in the Washington, D.C., office. He was most recently the Pacific and Placerville District Ranger on the Eldorado National Forest near Sacramento, California. His background includes roles such as Forest Planner, NEPA Coordinator, and Chief Financial Officer on the San Bernadino National Forest, and Budget Analyst in the Pacific Southwest Regional Office.

A native of eastern Tennessee, Thornburgh’s pre-Forest Service career included work as a mediator of environmental and public policy disputes in Pennsylvania. Thornburgh, a bluegrass musician, will move to the area with his wife Katherine and their two children, ages 9 and 7.