BLM Lakeview District Hires Three New Employees
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LAKEVIEW, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management’s Lakeview District Office has hired three new employees, Steve Yates, Courtney Sheldon, and Chris Stout.
Steve Yates is the Property Management Specialist for the Lakeview District. Steve grew up in central Georgia and obtained degrees from Georgia State University, Georgia Southwestern College, and Auburn University. After graduating from Auburn, Steve had his first BLM experience as a seasonal wildlife biologist in the Coos Bay District. He then worked for the Oregon State Police, first in Ontario, moving to Lakeview as the worksite supervisor. Over the years that Steve has lived in Lakeview, he participated as a board member with the local American Youth Soccer Organization, assisted with the Lakeview Little League, and is currently a volunteer with the Thomas Creek – Westside Rural Fire Protection District. He continues to enjoy the myriad of outdoor recreational activities that Lake County has to offer.
Courtney Sheldon is the Realty Specialist in the Klamath Falls Field Office. Courtney grew up in Southern Oregon and received a B.S. from the Oregon Institute of Technology, minoring in GIS and Business. In 2010, Courtney started her federal career with the Klamath Falls BLM as an intern, after graduation she transitioned between USGS and BLM before gaining a permanent position with the Forest Service as a Forestry Technician in 2021. Courtney started her current job in January 2023. Throughout her career, Courtney has worked in Hydrology, Fisheries, Timber, Recreation, Archaeology, Range/Botany, Administration/Public Contact, Wildfire Program Support (including air operations), and Wildlife, including data collection for multiple federally listed endangered species. Now, Courtney is happy to have the opportunity to bring her wide breadth of background knowledge to the BLM to tie it all together as a Realty Specialist.
In her spare time, she enjoys riding horses, barrel racing, hunting, hiking, archery, working with her hands on various applications, and spending time with her cat, dogs, horses, and husband. She is involved locally/regionally with horse associations in both competing and helping to organize events.
Chris Stout is a forester with the Forestry & Fuels Branch of the Klamath Falls Field Office. Chris grew up in Keno, Oregon, and received a Forest Management degree from Oregon State University. He began his federal career as a forester with the U.S. Forest Service in 2015 on the Fremont-Winema National Forest out of Paisley Ranger District. Chris served in a couple of different forester roles with the Forest Service until March of 2023, when he transitioned over to the Klamath Falls Field Office of the BLM.
“The Lakeview District is excited to have hired three new employees,” said Todd Forbes, Lakeview District Manager. “Just like everyone else, we’ve had a very difficult time finding qualified applicants for a number of very important positions. We are excited to welcome our new employees and look forward to them being a part of our team, and we know they will do great things for these programs.”
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.