BLM Wyoming managers earn Director’s Awards

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo.—Kimberlee Foster, a Field Manager for the Rock Springs Field Office, and Benjamin Smith, Assistant Field Manager for resources in the Pinedale Field Office, have been recognized with the Bureau of Land Management Director’s Excellence Through Leadership Award for providing exceptional public service. The award celebrates exemplary leadership through actions that involve programs, projects, events, individual employees, and teams.

Foster and Smith bring unique strengths to their leadership roles, contributing to the success of their offices in distinct ways while upholding the values of collaboration and dedication.

Foster, who has served as the field manager for nearly a decade, finds the most rewarding aspect of her role in watching her team grow. “I enjoy seeing staff that I hired as entry-level employees grow into their careers and become leaders or experts in their field,” she said.

Receiving the award was a meaningful moment for Foster, especially during a challenging year. “It’s been a very tough year with the negative press and backlash generated by the Rock Springs RMP,” she explained. “It’s nice to be recognized and know there are those who ‘have my back.’”

One of Foster’s proudest accomplishments is advancing the Rock Springs Resource Management Plan (RMP) revision, a project more than 12 years in the making. “It’s very rewarding to see it nearing a Record of Decision,” she said. “Even if Congress or appeals succeed in overturning it, it’s gratifying to bring the process to finality.”

Foster describes her leadership style as direct and no-nonsense, a quality she acknowledges can sometimes be polarizing. “Everyone who works with me knows I don’t play games and strive to be as genuine as possible, regardless,” she said.

Her advice to aspiring leaders is to first understand their own values, ethics, and knowledge. “You have to be true to yourself before you can lead others,” she said. “People respect leaders who maintain their principles while adapting to circumstances. Of course, there needs to be flexibility, but you cannot lose sight of yourself but then expect to lead others.”

Foster expressed gratitude to her team for their support and hard work. “It takes a village to get our work done at the BLM, and the staff I have is phenomenal. I would accomplish nothing without them,” she said.

Benjamin Smith also received the BLM’s Director’s Award for Excellence Through Leadership for his work as assistant field manager for resources in the Pinedale Field Office and shares a similar commitment to his team. “I’m surrounded by good people who do awesome work, and I’m lucky to be a part of it,” he said.

One of Smith’s proudest achievements is fostering collaboration across multiple levels of the BLM, including the Pinedale Field Office, High Desert District, State Office, and National Operations Center.

“I’m proud of how we continue to work together to solve challenges, especially with constantly changing timelines, requirements, and the complexities of contracts and agreements,” he said.

Smith’s leadership style is rooted in mutual respect and professionalism. “I work with professionals, and I treat them like professionals,” he said. “I trust their input and hope they feel the same way about the way I work with them.”

To future leaders, Smith encourages pushing beyond comfort zones while staying grounded in personal strengths. “Push yourself into challenges that might feel uncomfortable but also remember the skills that have brought you to where you are,” he advised. “And find someone who will give you honest feedback—someone you trust and are willing to learn from.”

Smith expressed gratitude to a long list of people who have supported him throughout his career. “I can’t skip thinking of my family, the people I work for in the Pinedale Field Office, and those in my previous roles who provided me with invaluable feedback,” he said.

Congratulations to Kimberlee Foster and Benjamin Smith for their dedication and outstanding service to the BLM and public lands.