BLM California Welcomes New State Director Jerry Perez
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New State Director Jerry Perez is now on board for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in California. Perez started in his new position on Jan. 11, succeeding California State Director Jim Kenna who recently retired in October 2015.
Perez brings significant experience to his new position. He comes to California from Oregon, where he has served as State Director for the BLM Oregon/Washington Office since 2012. Prior to coming on board with the BLM, Perez worked for the U.S. Forest Service in a number of positions that include Deputy Regional Forester for the Intermountain Region in Utah; Forest Supervisor on the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky; Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Stanislaus National Forest in California; and National Litigation Coordinator in the U.S. Forest Service Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
"It's a great honor to return to California as State Director during this exciting time for the BLM," Perez said. "I look forward to building upon the good work the Bureau has accomplished here and continuing to further our partnerships with the communities we serve, a critical element to successfully managing public lands."
As the California State Director, Perez will oversee the management of 15.2 million acres of public lands, nearly 15 percent of the state's land area, and 1.6 million acres in northwestern Nevada. BLM California also administers 47 million acres of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal surface land, 2.5 million acres underlying privately owned land, and 592,000 acres of Native American tribal land where BLM has trust responsibility for mineral operations.
Upon naming him State Director in September, BLM Director Neil Kornze said, "Jerry has broad experience in natural resource management both with the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service. He has a deep understanding of what it takes to balance public land uses like recreation, energy development and the protection of wildlife habitat. I look forward to having him in this critical leadership position."
Perez graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor's degree in Forest Resource Management. He received his law degree from The Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law. Perez also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, Africa, where he met his wife Rita.
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.