BLM Alaska Welcomes New State Director
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ANCHORAGE – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Alaska welcomed new State Director Chad Padgett after he took the oath of office administered by BLM’s Deputy Director of Operations Mike Nedd in a ceremony Monday at the Federal Building in downtown Anchorage.
"One reason I wanted to come here is because of my sincere appreciation for the BLM's multiple-use mission," said Padgett. "I'm a hunter, I'm a fisherman, I use the land, and I'm an Alaskan. I don't plan on going anywhere, and I hope to be here a long time."
Padgett spent the past 10 years as the Alaska State Director to Alaska’s Congressman Don Young and has a broad range of knowledge on Alaska issues. He will oversee management of BLM Alaska’s 70 million acres of public land across the state.
“Alaska is a pivotal part of our agency’s activities, as well as our nation’s economy, and this level of impact and scrutiny requires an exceptional leader dedicated to collaboration and able to build and strengthen ties with a broad range of partners and interests,” Nedd said. “That’s why we tapped Chad for this role. He knows this agency and understands how we need to work with the state’s leaders to accomplish our mission in the most effective way.”
Both Nedd and Padgett commended BLM Alaska Associate State Director Ted Murphy, who led the organization as acting state director in the interim and through a magnitude 7.0 earthquake and the longest federal employee furlough in the nation’s history.
Padgett served as Alaska State Executive Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency, where he played a key in planning, organizing, administering, and directing programs and management activities for the state. He also served for two years in a dual role as acting State Director for USDA Rural Development, where he was responsible for managing rural housing programs, community facilities, business and cooperative programs, and rural utilities programs throughout the state.
Earlier in his career, Padgett worked in Congressman Young’s state office for seven years, including six as Deputy District Director. As Deputy Director, he oversaw the operation of five offices based in Alaska, while also working closely with many Federal agencies, including the BLM. Padgett has a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Boise State University.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.