The Bureau of Land Management is bringing back a longtime career staffer who last year left for a senior position at the Forest Service as the director of BLM’s California office.
BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning announced Thursday that Joe Stout, who had previously served as the California office’s associate state director until last year, will return as director following the retirement in December of Karen Mouritsen, who had served as director since early 2020.
Stout, who is currently the forest supervisor of the Eldorado National Forest in the Central Sierras in eastern California, will start Aug. 11, BLM said.
“Joe brings nearly 25 years of experience in natural resources, conservation, and business management to his new role,” Stone-Manning said in a statement. “He is highly respected for his inclusive approach to management, his ability to build strong relationships on the ground, and his knack for finding solutions to tough issues. His expertise will benefit the BLM and the communities we serve.”
