DNRC announces Germann as Forestry Division administrator

HELENA –  The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation announced the hiring of Sonya Germann as the new Administrator of the Forestry Division.

A native of Ennis, Mont., Germann began working for the DNRC in 2004 as a part-time staff person in the Forestry Division’s seedling nursery. She was hired as a full time planner in the Trust Lands Division’s Forest Management Bureau in 2007and was promoted to bureau chief in 2012.

“Following a national search with many highly-qualified candidates, I’m pleased to announce that Sonya will lead our largest division,” DNRC Director John Tubbs said. “She’s highly respected for her inclusive approach to management, her ability to build strong relations with stakeholders, and a talent for finding solutions to difficult issues.”

Germann holds bachelor’s degrees in both wildlife biology and liberal studies from the University of Montana and finishing up a master’s degree in resource conservation from UM’s College of Forestry.

Sue Clark, a 26-year veteran of the Forestry division, served as Acting Administrator for the last year and has been named Deputy Administrator.

“Sue stepped forward to lead the Forestry Division through one of the most challenging fire seasons in history,” Tubbs said. she will continue to work on federal partnerships and Good Neighbor Authority projects on U.S. Forest Service lands, he said.

Germann and Clark will start their new positions on April 30.