Los Padres National Forest officials announced on June 21 the selection of John “Pancho” Smith as the new Santa Barbara District Ranger.
Smith arrives from North Carolina, where he is currently a District Ranger on the Croatan National Forest. He replaces Doug Dodge, who retired last month after serving since 2009. Smith officially reports for duty on July 30. Bruce Emmens is managing the District’s day-to-day operations in the interim.
“I am looking forward to joining the Los Padres, and working with the people of Santa Barbara and the many visitors who come each year to enjoy these incredible public lands,” Smith said in a prepared statement.
During his 40-year career in federal service, Smith has held positions with the Forest Service and Arizona Game and Fish Department. He has worked in wilderness patrol and fire prevention, and has been an engine crewmember, engine foreman, and fire crew foreman.
From 1996 to 2001, Smith was a supervisory law enforcement officer for the national forests in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Between 2002 and 2008, he served as a special agent for the Forest Service’s Southwest Region, and from 2008-2011 served as its regional patrol commander.
This article appears in Jun 28 – Jul 5, 2012.