Forest Leadership Team Changes on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Thursday, December 14th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Release from the U.S. Forest Service) The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest would like to announce two significant changes in leadership.
Anthony Botello, Deputy Forest Supervisor, has accepted the position of Forest Supervisor on the Flathead National Forest in Northwestern Montana and Kendall Cikanek, Whitman District Ranger, will be joining the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision Team.
Both moves will be in early January.
“I started with the Forest Service in the summer of 1988 as a GS-3 temp employee as a summer job between college semesters, and have worked for the Forest Service ever since,” Botello said regarding his 35-year career. Botello has served the last three years at the Wallowa-Whitman.
Earlier in his career, he was a snow ranger, permit administrator and part of a Forest Service Incident Management Team Command and General Staff to host the 2002 Olympic Winter Games at the only NFS Olympic Venue at Snowbasin Resort.
“Throughout his tenure here on the Wallowa-Whitman, Anthony has been a fantastic leader helping us tackle large fires like the Double Creek as well as excel in timber, fuels, recreation and restoration,” said Shaun McKinney, the WW Forest Supervisor.
“I have really enjoyed my time working on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and living in Baker City,” added Botello. “The employees on the Wallowa-Whitman are among the most innovative, hardworking, and caring stewards on our Nation’s public lands. My wife and I have loved living in Baker City and Eastern Oregon and will miss this wonderful community.”
Cikanek will join a team of experts from the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests and regional professionals that form the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision Team.
Cikanek’s specific expertise as a fisheries biologist paired with his line officer experience makes him a huge asset to the team.
“Together these skillsets will assist the three Blue Mountains Forests to navigate our Endangered Species Act consultation process. I appreciate Kendall focusing on this part of our portfolio and ensuring the consultation process goes smoothly,” said McKinney.
No announcements have been made on who will be replacing the two, but an Acting District Ranger and Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor will be selected to serve until the vacancies are filled.
