The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointments of Kristin Sleeper as Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment and Tom Schultz as Chief of Staff for Natural Resources and Environment. These appointments coincide with President Donald J. Trump’s visit to California to assess wildfire damage and reaffirm the administration’s commitment to wildfire prevention and forest health. All figures and facts were verified from the USDA's announcement.
Kristin Sleeper, with a background in environmental policy and advanced degrees from Michigan State University, Yale, and the University of Montana, will oversee initiatives for forest conservation and ecosystem health. Her previous roles in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives equip her to navigate complex natural resource policies.
Tom Schultz, formerly Vice President of Resources at Idaho Forest Group, brings expertise in timber procurement and land management. His leadership experience spans overseeing millions of acres of public lands and resources in Idaho and Montana, supported by degrees in government, political science, and forestry.
The USDA’s Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) mission oversees sustainable management practices for 193 million acres of U.S. public lands. These efforts aim to mitigate wildfire risks and ensure the conservation of vital ecosystems.
