Leadership
The BLM's national and state leaders bring a combination of innovation and experience to the organization. Together, leaders and employees work side-by-side daily to manage the public lands as working landscapes that support a greater America. Our multiple-use mandate ensures healthy, productive public lands for current and future generations. Learn more about the BLM's top leadership below.
- Deputy Director, Policy and Programs
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Nada Wolff Culver
Deputy Director of Policy and ProgramsNada Wolff Culver is the Deputy Director of Policy and Programs. Nada most recently served as the Vice President, Public Lands and Senior Policy Counsel at the National Audubon Society. - Deputy Director, Operations
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Michael D. Nedd
Deputy Director, OperationsAs Deputy Director for Operations, Mike Nedd oversees the BLM’s daily activities and initiatives and more than 9,000 employees, located mostly in the western states. - Alaska State Director
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Chad Padgett
Alaska State DirectorChad Padgett became the BLM’s State Director for Alaska in February 2019 - Arizona State Director
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Raymond Suazo
BLM Arizona State DirectorRay Suazo became the BLM Arizona State Director in 2012. - California State Director
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Karen Mouritsen
California State DirectorKaren Mouritsen is the BLM’s State Director for California. - Colorado State Director
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Jamie Connell
BLM Colorado State DirectorJamie Connell became the BLM’s Colorado State Director in November 2018. - Eastern States State Director
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Mitchell Leverette
BLM Eastern States State DirectorMitch Leverette became the BLM’s Eastern States Director after serving as acting Deputy Assistant Director and acting Assistant Director for Energy, Minerals, and Realty Management in the Washington (DC) Office. - Idaho State Director
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John Ruhs
BLM Idaho State DirectorJohn Ruhs became Idaho State Director in March 2019. Ruhs was previously the BLM’s Assistant Director of Fire and Aviation at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. - Montana-Dakotas State Director
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John Mehlhoff
Montana and the Dakotas State DirectorJohn Mehlhoff is returning to the BLM as State Director for Montana and the Dakotas after having been the Program Director for Coordination, Enforcement, Valuation, and Appeals for the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) since 2014. - Nevada State Director
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Jon Raby
BLM Nevada State DirectorJon Raby is the State Director for the BLM in Nevada. - New Mexico State Director
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Melanie Barnes
Acting BLM New Mexico State DirectorMelanie Barnes is the Acting State Director for the Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico, where she oversees the management of public lands and minerals in New Mexico, Oklahoma
- Oregon-Washington State Director
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Barry Bushue
BLM Oregon-Washington State DirectorBarry Bushue became the BLM’s State Director for Oregon and Washington after working for the Oregon Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he served as the State Executive Director. - Utah State Director
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Greg Sheehan
Utah State DirectorAs BLM's State Director in Utah, Greg Sheehan leads a team that administers nearly 22.9 million acres of public lands, representing about 42% of the state. - Wyoming State Director
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Kim Liebhauser
Acting BLM Wyoming State DirectorKim Liebhauser became the acting BLM State Director for Wyoming in October 2020, overseeing the administration of 18 million acres of public lands and more than 40 million acres of federal mineral estate.
