New forest supervisor named to lead Superior National Forest, BWCA

There’s a new top official in charge of Superior National Forest, which includes the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and large portions of federal land in Cook County.

The Forest Service yesterday announced Tom Hall as the new forest supervisor. Hall replaces Connie Cummins, who retired at the end of July.

Hall started working this week in Minnesota at the Superior National Forest supervisor’s office in Duluth.

Prior to his selection as the Superior National Forest supervisor, Hall served in legislative affairs division for the Forest Service for the agency’s Washington DC office, where he has been for the past two and a half years.

Prior to his time in the nation’s capital, Hall was a district ranger on the Shasta Trinity National Forest in California for six years. He has worked in planning, fuels, and recreation, with more than 20 years working in sustainable land management principles, according to the Forest Service. He has degrees in forestry from Colorado State University and served in the Colorado Army National Guard as a helicopter mechanic.

Hall says that he and his family love winter sports, being outdoors and exploring new places. They are excited to move to Duluth and join the community, he added.

WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Hall Sept. 14 about a variety of topics, including the fact that among the decisions he will be expected to make during his first months as the supervisor will be the proposed expansion of Lutsen Mountains, a ski resort on the North Shore. Listen to the full interview in the audio below.

Joe Friedrichs September 14, 2022