Randy Moore is Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, leading a workforce of more than 40,000 permanent employees who sustainably manage 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands, support the world’s largest forestry research organization and work with states, tribes and other partners to sustain all of America’s forests for the benefit of all citizens, today and in the future. Under his leadership, the Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological and social vitality for all communities nationwide.

Randy has been a catalyst for change throughout his career. As Chief, he contributes to our nation’s most pressing challenges: tackling climate change, advancing racial equity and helping the people we serve recover and heal from the global pandemic by connecting them with our treasured public lands. Randy is committed to seeking new and better ways to address the many issues facing our ecosystems, our communities and our employees.

Randy believes strongly that a leader must adapt and grow but that there are some principles that always hold true: A leader must be fair, inclusive, willing to listen and trust his employees. He is committed to the Forest Service mission, distilling it to its core of improving forest conditions by bringing together partners from industry, the environmental community, and private, tribal and government stewards of the land.

Prior to serving as Chief, he served as Pacific Southwest regional forester from 2007 to 2021, where he was responsible for 18 national forests in California, covering one-fifth of the state on 20 million acres of land. He also oversaw State & Private Forestry programs in Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. Randy served as regional forester for the Eastern Region in Wisconsin, forest supervisor for Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri and in myriad other roles throughout the agency. He began his career with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota and joined the Forest Service in 1981.

A native of Bastrop, Louisiana, Randy earned his bachelor’s degree in plant and soil science from Southern University. He and his wife Antoinette have two sons, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren.