The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief announced David Schmid as the new regional forester for the Alaska region.

Schmid replaces Beth Pendleton in overseeing management of the more than 22 million acres of National Forest System lands in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska, according to a Nov. 30 press release announcing the news. Schmid has been acting as regional forester for the last eight months since Pendleton retired in April.

“David’s more than 30 years of experience and his commitment to maintaining strong relationships with people, stakeholders and communities make him exceptionally well qualified for this job,” U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen said in the press release. “I’m also pleased that he’s bringing both his leadership skills and 23 years of experience on the Chugach and Tongass National Forests to this role.”

Schmid previously worked as a fisheries and watershed program leader on the Chugach National Forest and as a district ranger on the Tongass National Forest. For the past four years he has served as the Deputy Regional Forester in the Northern Region based in Missoula, Montana.

• Contact reporter Mollie Barnes at 523-2228 or at mbarnes@juneaempire.com.