For Immediate Release: November 2, 2007
Contact: Denise Adamic BLM 303-239-3671
James Sample BLM 303-239-3861

BLM Colorado welcomes Dave Hunsaker as new Associate State Director

DENVER — The Colorado Bureau of Land Management State Office has announced the appointment of Dave Hunsaker as the Associate State Director. Hunsaker is currently the Deputy Director for the National Landscape Conservation System in the BLM Washington D.C. office. He replaces Doug Koza who retired from the BLM in October.

Hunsaker will assume his new duties in January.

“Colorado is pleased to welcome Dave to this position,” said Sally Wisely, BLM Colorado State Director. “Dave brings broad and extensive experience as well as proven management, leadership, and partnership skills that are so important to the Bureau.” 

Born in Los Angeles, Hunsaker has spent 38 years of his career in federal service, 33 of those years have been with the Bureau. Prior to moving to his current position in April 2006, Hunsaker held positions as the Manager, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, BLM Utah; Associate Manager, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument; Director, National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, BLM Oregon;  Manager, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, BLM Nevada;  Multi-Staff Supervisor, Stateline Resource Area, BLM Nevada;  Outdoor Recreation Planner, Baker District, BLM Oregon; and Outdoor Recreation Planner, Price District, BLM Utah.

“The people who work for the BLM are what make the agency so special,” said Hunsaker. “BLM staffs truly appreciate and are committed to the public lands they manage as well as those communities in which they work.”

As the Associate State Director, Hunsaker’s position is analogous to the Chief Operating Officer of a private company.  He will be responsible for ensuring the agency’s business components function smoothly throughout the state, including providing oversight and strategic vision of budget and financial management, attainment of performance goals, workforce planning and employee performance and conduct issues.

Hunsaker said he is looking forward to making the move to BLM Colorado. 

“This state offers a premier collection of natural resources, good challenges and great opportunities for land managers,” said Hunsaker.  “Colorado is a microcosm of all the best aspects of the Bureau and I’m looking forward to getting back to the field where all the important things happen.”

-BLM-

Editor’s note: a photo of Dave Hunsaker can be obtained by calling Denise Adamic at 303-239-3671.