Torres named new ranger in Gila National Forest district

Roman "Ray" Torres has been named the new ranger for the Wilderness Ranger District of the Gila National Forest. He will begin Dec. 4. Kendall Brown, who was named temporary acting district ranger Nov. 2, will return to his permanent work station as range staff officer at the Glenwood Ranger District when Torres begins his first day on the job. Torres will share similar responsibilities with five other district rangers on the forest, which include managing resources and working with local residents, organizations, elected officials and sister agencies, said Russell, Gila National Forest supervisor. Torres has more than 20 years experience with the U.S. Forest Service and the California State Parks system. He served as a state park ranger and state park supervisor and worked in law enforcement, lands, recreation, and resource management, as well as managing prescribed fire programs and park administration at various locations. Most recently, Torres served as district ranger for the Devil's Garden/Warner Mountain Ranger District at the Modoc National Forest in northern California. Before that, he was the deputy district ranger on the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Road on the Klamath National Forest and district lands and recreation officer for the Hat Creek Road on the Lassen National Forest, both in northern California. Torres, along with his wife, Barbara, had operated a family-owned equine supply business in Texas...more