Flathead Natl Forest Appoints Deputy Supervisor

Kalispell, MT – December 16, 2022 – The Flathead National Forest is excited to announce the selection of Tami MacKenzie as Deputy Forest Supervisor.

Tami started her career on the Flathead National Forest as a wildland firefighter in 1998 while attending the University of Montana. She worked in wildland fire until 2006 when she accepted a position in environmental planning where she held various positions between the Flathead National Forest and the Regional Office for the next 14 years. In 2020, she became the Forest Public Affairs Officer and member of the Forest Leadership Team.

“I am very pleased to welcome Tami to this key leadership position on the Flathead National Forest,” says Forest Supervisor, Kurt Steele. “Tami’s strong background in fire, environmental planning, and public affairs will be a great asset to the management of the Forest.”

“I am honored by this opportunity to be part of the leadership of the Flathead National Forest,” says MacKenzie. “Working with the public, partners, and our employees to achieve the mission of the agency is of great importance to me. This community is passionate about our public lands and the multiple uses it provides, which is one of the things that makes this Forest so special.”

Tami grew up in the Flathead Valley and spent many weekends and summer days exploring the Flathead National Forest.

“I have such fond memories of recreating and collecting firewood on the Forest with my family growing up, and I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to provide my kids with the same experiences,” says MacKenzie. “When I was a teenager, my dad signed me up as a volunteer to help restore a backcountry cabin on the Swan Lake Ranger District where he worked. This trip with him was such a special experience and definitely furthered my love of the outdoors and what the Forest has to offer.”

In Tami’s spare time she coaches high school softball in the Valley and spends time with her husband and two daughters camping, hiking, picking huckleberries, and finding adventures.

- by Ivy Gehling, USFS/Flathead Natl Forest -