Brenda Halter
The next few months will bring a series of changes in four key leadership positions in the Superior National Forest in northeast Minnesota.
Forest Service spokesperson Kristina Reichenbach said, “We will soon bid a fond adieu to Mark Van Every, district ranger on the Kawishiwi Ranger District, and to Tim Sexton, district ranger on the LaCroix Ranger District.”
Van Every will move on to become forest supervisor of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. Sexton will leave the Superior to become director of the Wildland Fire Research Development and Applications Program at the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Boise, Idaho.
Reichenbach said the Superior National Forest is pleased to announce that Brenda Halter will join the forest leadership team as forest supervisor, effective May 20. In a press release, the Forest Service said that Halter brings a wealth of experience acquired over her 18 years with the U.S. Forest Service working as a hydrologist and forest planner. She has a master’s degree in biology and was a member of the joint Forest Plan Revision team for the Chippewa and Superior National Forests while working on the Chippewa National Forest.
Halter most recently led the development of a new Final Planning Rule for America’s 193-million acre National Forest System which Reichenbach said includes stronger protections for forests, water and wildlife while supporting the economic vitality of rural communities. Forest supervisors use these procedures to develop land management plans that set forth specific desired conditions and guidance to achieve forest health and resilience, species and habitat protection, contributions to sustainable communities, and recreational opportunities and other multiple uses.
“I have spent many years working with the people and resources of Minnesota. I am delighted to return to family, friends and the lakes, wetlands and forests of this beautiful state,” said Halter in a press release. “I have a deep and abiding commitment to public lands and look forward to working with our forest employees, our state and local partners, and the community to care for the Superior National Forest.”
Halter is married with four children and six, soon to be seven, grandchildren, many of whom still live in Minnesota. Her husband, Al Williamson, also works for the Forest Service as the assistant national wildlife program leader.
Since the retirement in January of former forest supervisor Jim Sanders, Tim Dabney has been acting forest supervisor. When Halter arrives in May, Dabney will resume his responsibilities as deputy forest supervisor.
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