TONASKET – Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Supervisor Michael Balboni announced the selection of Matthew Reidy as the new Tonasket District Ranger.

Reidy started his Forest Service career in fire as a hotshot crew member in 1982 and continued his career working mostly in fire and timber associated positions. He was a District Fire Management Officer as well as a Forest Staff Fire Management Officer. He is also an active Incident Commander on a Type II Incident Management Team in the Southwest Region. Reidy has been a District Ranger on the Colville, Wallowa-Whitman and Malheur National Forests in the Pacific Northwest Region and the Santa Fe and Lincoln National Forests in the Southwest Region. Most recently, he was the District Ranger on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest in New Mexico.

The new Tonasket Ranger graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management from Southern Illinois University in 1982 and immediately began his career with the Forest Service. He strongly believes that it is important to engage local community leaders and members of the public to be successful at finding solutions for many local issues.

“I look forward to returning to Washington State, working with local community members and Forest Service employees in the spectacular mountains of the Pacific Northwest. My wife and I are excited to live closer to our sons who go to college in Wenatchee, work in Soap Lake, Washington and Baker City, Oregon,” said Ranger Reidy.

“Matt’s strong background in collaboration, timber management and prescribed fire will be a great asset in Okanogan County as we commit to our Forest Restoration Strategy”, said Forest Supervisor Michael Balboni. “We’re looking forward to welcoming Matt and his family to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Tonasket Ranger District”.

The new ranger enjoys hiking, fishing, skiing, coaching sports and camping with friends and family. His report date is Oct. 20.