CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Forester Randy Dye is retiring, the agency announced Thursday.
Dye’s retirement will be effective next Monday, May 1. He was appointed to the position in 1999.“I am thankful for the opportunity to have led the Division of Forestry these last 18 years,” Dye said in a news release. “I’ve enjoyed watching those I have hired and trained go on to succeed in their careers, and I am proud to say many have risen to responsible management positions.”
Dye, a native Parkersburg, recently served two consecutive terms as president of the National Association of State Foresters (NASF).
Last summer Dye oversaw the layoffs of 37 foresters, one-third of the agency’s workforce. He told the state Personnel Board at the time he really had no other choice because of budget constraints. The agency had a $1.7 million shortfall.
“We won’t be able to do what we once did,” Dye admitted.
State Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher announced back in March that 15 of the 37 would be called back to work.
“We are excited to put our foresters back to work,” Thrasher said in a news release. “This is just one more example of Governor Justice’s initiatives to restore sound management of our state forests in a fiscally responsible manner.”
Gov. Jim Justice also commented on the March announcement.
“Our state foresters are some of the most dedicated workers in our state, and they are far better equipped to handle this type of activity. I am excited that these valued employees are being called back to work at the Division of Forestry.” Justice said.
Some of the 15 were called back earlier this month with the rest scheduled to back beginning next Monday.