January 23, 2026 2:50 a.m. 

On Thursday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced that she has appointed Kacey KC to serve as State Forester and Director of the Oregon Department of Forestry.

A release from the Governor’s Office said KC would be the first woman appointed on a permanent basis to lead the agency in state history, pending Oregon Senate approval next month.

Governor Kotek said, “Kacey KC brings tenacity and a get-it-done style to her management approach and knows how to build strong partnerships across all levels of government to tackle complex challenges”. Governor Kotek said, “I am thrilled to welcome her leadership to support and strengthen the mission of the Department of Forestry”.

KC is a seasoned public-sector forestry executive with more than 25 years of experience, most recently serving as the State Forester Firewarden for the Nevada Department of Forestry since 2018. In 2021, KC was assigned to the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission established by Congress to advance the nation’s wildfire protection system. In 2023, KC was appointed the president of the National Association of State Foresters.

KC’s effective start date will be March 1st, 2026.