News Release

For Release: May 1, 2002
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 257-5381
CA-N-02-52

BILLINGSLEY SWORN-IN AS NEW MANAGER FOR BLM SURPRISE FIELD OFFICE

Owen Billingsley was sworn in today as the new field manager for the Bureau of Land Management's Surprise Field Office, based in Cedarville. BLM State Director Mike Pool administered the oath of office.

Billingsley, a natural resources manager with more than 20 years' experience, was formerly the Bureau of Land Management assistant field manager in northern Montana.. He will oversee management of more than a million acres of BLM-administered public lands in eastern Modoc County, California, and northwest Nevada.

"I'm enjoying this new position very much," Billingsley said. "We moved from a small community in Montana to rural California, and the same positive values abound in Modoc County. The most rewarding times in my career have been when a wide variety of interests have been able to come together to arrive at resource management agreements, and I look forward to similar achievements in the Surprise Field Office."

BLM California State Director Mike Pool said Billingsley brings a wealth of experience to the job.

"Owen has worked in areas including range management, minerals, energy development, and recreation. He has solid management experience. He will be an excellent leader for the Surprise Field Office staff and a partnership builder in the community," Pool said.

Billingsley has been a manager in the Havre field station since 1994. He has also worked as an assistant BLM district manager in Lewistown, Mont., and as a BLM geologist in Utah. He also spent time as a geologist and chief of a solid minerals group for the U. S. Geological Survey/Minerals Management Service. He holds a degree in geology from Humboldt State University in Arcata and completed graduate work in geology at the University of Montana.

Billingsley replaces Susie Stokke, who left the Surprise Field Office last year to take a position on the natural resources staff in the BLM Nevada State Office in Reno.

-BLM-

Northern California Support Team 2950 Riverside Dr. Susanville, CA 96130