Regional Forester Frank Beum has selected Shawn Cochran as the new permanent Forest Supervisor for Black Hills National Forest. Cochran has served the last five years as Forest Supervisor on the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. He replaces acting forest supervisor Ivan Green. Cochran reports to the Black Hills National Forest effective Jan. 14, 2024.

“We are happy that Shawn has accepted the position of Forest Supervisor on the Black Hills,” said Beum. “Keeping the important work of the Black Hills National Forest moving forward and meeting the commitments to our communities, Tribes, partners, contractors and cooperators is essential and will be top priority of the new forest supervisor and all forest leadership.”

Cochran has more than 22 years of service with the USDA Forest Service. Previously, he served as Deputy Forest Supervisor on the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas. He has also worked as Acting Director of Forest Management in the Southern Region, an Ecosystems Staff Officer on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas, a District Ranger on the Huron-Manistee National Forest in Michigan, acting District Ranger on the Ottawa National Forest, acting Forest Biologist on the National Forests in Florida and as a District Biologist on the Ouachita National Forest.

Cochran earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and environmental science from Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma. He earned his Master of Science degree in biology from Arkansas State University, focusing his thesis work on the roosting ecology and habitat use of Rafinesque’s big-eared bat in the bottomland hardwood forests of eastern Arkansas.

Shawn spent his early years growing up on his parents’ cattle farm in Greenwood, Arkansas. Shawn, however, will tell you that the best thing in his life is being married to his wife Keri Cochran and spending time with their three children, Silas, Samuel, and Sara.