BLM announces new Alaska state director

Alan Bailey

Petroleum News

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has announced the appointment of Chad Padgett as the new director of the agency’s Alaska office. Padgett replaces Acting State Director Ted Murphy.

For the past 10 years Padgett has served as Alaska state director in Congressman Don Young’s Anchorage office. From 2001 to 2009 he served as the Alaska state executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Services Agency, developing policies and a budget for Alaska, while also planning, administering and directing programs and activities for the state. For two years Padgett took on the dual role of acting state director for USDA rural development, managing rural housing programs; community facilities; business and cooperative programs; and rural utilities programs throughout Alaska, BLM said.

Earlier in his career Padgett had also worked in Young’s office for a seven-year stint, including six years as deputy district director for Alaska. As deputy director he oversaw the operation of five offices based in Alaska while also working closely with many federal agencies including BLM. Padgett has a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Boise State University, BLM said.

BLM also announced the appointment of Michael Nedd as BLM director of operations, overseeing more than 6,000 federal employees, mostly located in 14 western states.

- ALAN BAILEY