SILVER CITY, N.M., Feb. 18, 2015 - Kelly Russell, Gila National Forest Supervisor, has accepted a new job as the Forest Supervisor for the National Forests in Florida. She is scheduled to report for her new position in Tallahassee, Florida April 6.

During Russell's tenure on the Gila over the last four years, she guided the forest through some difficult incidents including many large wildfires - Miller, Whitewater Baldy, Silver, and Signal - and severe flood events in 2013 and 2014. She also served on several Forest Service regional level strategy groups and participated in local community activities with the Rotary Club, Grant County Community Concert Association, and the Food Pantry.

Russell says, "I've thoroughly enjoyed working with the great employees on this forest and the local public and will remember the Gila fondly." She adds, "This is an awesome place, but I could not pass on an opportunity to be able to move closer to my family."

She leaves the high desert country to manage 1.2 million acres across the Apalachicola, Osceola and Ocala National Forests in Florida, which includes half a million acres of wetlands.

The process has begun to find a replacement for Russell whose last day in the Silver City office will be March 27. A temporary replacement will soon be named as Forest Supervisor for the Gila until the permanent position is filled.