HLCNF Supervisor Bill Avey retires

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Supervisor Bill Avey retired Dec. 31 after four decades with then U.S. Forest Service.

Deputy Forest Supervisor Sara Mayben, who served as acting forest supervisor last summer, will step back into the acting supervisor role, with Catherine Pinegar, who led the recreation, engineering and timber programs, stepping in as acting deputy forest supervisor.

"I am grateful that I've been able to spend almost all of my long career in Montana and have worked with some outstanding folks, both in and out of the Forest Service," Avey said in a Dec. 29 news release announcing the change in leadership. "My decade here as forest supervisor was extremely gratifying as we completed a new Forest Plan, consolidated two forests which helped get more resources on the ground; and led through some difficult fire years.  With the new plan and our ongoing work in fuels reduction and community service, I believe the Forest is set up well for continued success."

Mayben served as Deputy Forest Supervisor since 2017. before that she serve as district ranger in Fairplay, Colorado and a renewable resource staff officer in Pueblo, Colorado for the Pike San Isabel National Forest.