Blackfoot Valley Dispatch - The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980

HELENA - Beginning in September, Forest Supervisor Bill Avey will begin a temporary assignment as Northern Region Deputy Regional Forester in Missoula.

While Avey is on this detail, Lisa Stoeffler will fill in behind him as the temporary Helena-Lewis and Clark Forest Supervisor. Both Avey and Stoeffler will begin their respective assignments Sept. 4, 2018, and will remain in those acting roles for approximately four months.

Stoeffler has served as Deputy Forest Supervisor on the White River National Forest in western Colorado since January 2016. In this position, she spends time coordinating a large interagency fire organization, working with district rangers across the White River on recreation, lands, ski area and vegetation management projects, and running day-to-day operations of the Forest.

Prior to becoming the Deputy Forest Supervisor on the White River National Forest, Stoeffler served as the Bozeman District Ranger on the Custer-Gallatin National Forest for seven years, and the Gallatin National Forest's Ecosystem Staff Officer prior to that for six years. Before going to Bozeman, she worked on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in Stanley, Idaho as the recreation and planning program manager, and then as the Deputy Area Ranger. Other places where Stoeffler has worked for the Forest Service includes the Ninemile Ranger District on the Lolo National Forest, the Wallace Ranger District on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and on the Superior National Forest in Minnesota. Stoeffler has a degree in Forest Management from the University of Michigan.

When not working, Stoeffler and her husband spend time running, skiing, fishing, and exploring the mountains. They have two grown sons and one very needy dog.

"I am looking forward to returning to Montana to work and spend time in country that I love," Stoeffler said. "This is an exciting opportunity to learn about the people and communities of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. I am anxious to get started there and help keep the projects moving forward in a positive direction."

While Stoeffler is assisting the HLC, Avey will be working out of the Regional Office in Missoula as Deputy Regional Forester. In this role, Avey will work directly with the other Deputy Regional Forester and Regional Forester to oversee the Region's National Forests and programs.

"I'm confident that our Forest will continue its good work under Lisa's leadership while I'm working out of the Regional Office," Avey said. "My assignment as Deputy Regional Forester will allow me to help provide leadership across the Region and to keep the momentum going for the Region's many collaborative projects and partnerships. That being said, I'm looking forward to being back in Helena at Christmas."

Avey has served as the HLC Forest Supervisor since 2014 and prior to that was the Lewis and Clark National Forest (before the forest consolidation) for nearly two years. Before becoming a Forest Supervisor, Avey served as the Big Timber and Livingston District.

While these two changes occur, HLC Deputy Forest Supervisor Sara Mayben-who recently returned to the forest after a four-month assignment as the Forest Supervisor on the Lolo National Forest this past summer-will remain as the Forest's Deputy Supervisor to assist Stoeffler during this detail. Mayben will still work out of the Great Falls office.