Cal Mukomoto Named New State Forester

The next state forester was picked at a special meeting on Friday, Oct. 29.  

Cal Mukomoto, a long-time forester and businessman from Coos Bay — and 2020 Democratic candidate for the state legislature — was the man chosen for the job.  

Mukomoto will lead the Oregon Department of Forestry, the group responsible for fighting wildfires and managing timber on state lands that cover over 16 million acres.  

He’s worked a variety of roles, ranging from a forester for Warm Springs Forest Products Industries to the chair of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission. He was picked over Therese O’Rourke and Jim Paul, following the resignation of Peter Daugherty in May. Mukomoto will be replacing Nancy Hirsch, the acting state forester after Daugherty’s resignation.  

Daugherty, the former state forester, resigned after a difficult relationship with the Board, and accusations of financial mismanagement, as reported by OregonLive. 

Mukomoto’s position will have him overseeing roughly 1,200 employees and a budget of over $499 million.   

“Cal has demonstrated that he has what’s needed to be successful in this critical and complex role,” said Board Chair Jim Kelly in the ODF’s recent press release. “I look forward to working closely with Cal and seeing where he will lead the department in the coming years.”