New Oregon State Forester

Here are the three finalists:

Jim Paul, an assistant director with the Oregon Department of State Lands; Paul Bell, associate state forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and chief of the agency's Fire Protection Division; and, Doug Decker, acting chief of ODF's State Forests Division.

Paul has been in his position with State Lands since May of 2010. He previously held a variety of positions at ODF, where he had worked since 1997, most recently as chief of the Private Forests Division.

Bell held seasonal positions with ODF from 1977 through 1982, and returned to the agency in 1990, holding positions including Cascade district forester, based in Lyons, and private forests program director.

Decker began with ODF in 1987 as the agency's assistant director of public affairs, and has held positions including public affairs director and State Forests Division project leader.

I know who my bet is on. The emphasis will be on public relations, not cutting trees. Business as usual.