Helge Eng joined the Alaska Department of Natural Resources as the director of the Division of Forestry and Alaska State Forester, after a 21-year career at California’s forest management and wildfire fighting agency.
At the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Eng was serving as deputy director for forestry since 2015. He previously spent two years as assistant deputy director for resource protection, nine years as state forests program manager, and three years as state forest biometrician for the department.
Corri Feige, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources:
“State foresters in Alaska and California share similar challenges in fighting wildfire to protect lives and property, and similar opportunities in managing vast forest resources to benefit industry, wildlife and recreation. We are fortunate to have Helge Eng bring his experience north to Alaska to lead our Division of Forestry in its continued success in achieving these goals on behalf of Alaskans.”
In Alaska, Eng will direct a staff of over 250 employees.
Eng:
“It has long been a dream to serve as state forester, and the opportunity to take on this role in a state as big, wild and free as Alaska was one I could not pass up. I am looking forward to meeting with the many professionals working in the division, and in making many new friends here in Alaska.”
He has served in a variety of membership and leadership roles in forestry, including registered professional forester and member of the Society of American Foresters; member of the California Licensed Foresters Association, chair of the Northern California Society of American Foresters, and state representative on the Society of American Foresters Policy Committee.
Eng succeeds Chris Maisch, who retired as director and state forester in February after 21 years with the forestry division.