Mike Shaw

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has selected Mike Shaw as the new district forester for the Central Oregon District (COD). Shaw replaces George Ponte who recently retired after more than seven years as district forester and 26 years with the department. COD provides wildfire protection and administers the Forest Practices Act on approximately 2.2 million acres of private and non-federal public land throughout eleven counties in Oregon. As District Forester, Shaw will manage 35 permanent employees and 90 seasonal firefighters in offices in Prineville, Sisters, The Dalles, John Day and Fossil.

Shaw has been with ODF for 16 years, starting as a forest practices forester in the Toledo Unit of the West Oregon District. He served in a similar position in Wallowa, prior to promoting to unit forester for the Wallowa Unit. In December 2014, Shaw left northeast Oregon to work as ODF’s Eastern Oregon assistant area director. Shaw’s prior experience in both Protection and Private Forests divisions and in various locations within the agency will provide a good foundation as he assumes his leadership role in the Central Oregon District. In addition to his experience in these positions Shaw has served on ODF’s Incident Management Team 1 as situation unit leader and as planning section chief. Shaw is a graduate of Oregon State University, holding a bachelor’s degree in Forest Management.

“I am really looking forward to working with a great group of employees and furthering the mission of ODF in Central Oregon,” Shaw said in a press release. “The past three fire seasons have been particularly challenging, and I am excited for the opportunities these challenges may afford as we move into the future.”

Mike has made his home in central Oregon with his wife and children, where they are integrating into the community and exploring the area. Shaw is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys skiing with his family during the winter.