“Dave has an excellent record with partnerships and collaborative experience and a tremendous background in natural resource management,” said Allen Nicholas, forest supervisor of the National Forests in North Carolina. “He also has lived and worked in Western North Carolina previously so understands the forests and communities we serve.”

Before moving to Alabama, Casey spent seven years as a silviculturist and timber management administrator on the Cheoah and Tusquitee ranger districts in the Nantahala National Forest. He started his forestry career in the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest and has also worked in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in Virginia. Originally from Nashville, Casey holds a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

The district ranger position was last held by Derek Ibarguen, who left this summer for a job as deputy forest supervisor in Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest. 

Casey is moving to the Brevard area with his wife and three children.