BLM announces new Gila District Manager
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TUCSON, Ariz. – The Bureau of Land Management selected Lance R. Brady, a native Arizonan born in Tucson and raised in Safford, as the new Gila District Manager. He replaced Scott Feldhausen, who retired in January. Brady will direct the management of over 2 million acres of desert, mountains, and grasslands in eastern and southeastern Arizona through the BLM Safford and Tucson Field Offices.
“I am excited to be back in my home state and to manage familiar landscapes that are important to the communities the Gila District serves,” said Brady.
Brady was most recently the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program manager for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) where he oversaw critical advancements in UAS technologies for USGS and the Department of the Interior. He began his career with the BLM in the Rock Springs Field Office in Wyoming, focusing on the geospatial program and later worked within the fire program in the Idaho Falls District, where he became the supervisor of the district’s geospatial program. Brady previously worked in the Safford Field Office as assistant field manager in 2007, where he led the Renewable Resources Division before moving to the BLM National Operations Center in Denver. There, he led geospatial activities for the BLM fire program and was instrumental in developing the Bureau’s UAS program.
In 2015, Brady returned to the Idaho Falls District as the Associate District Manager. He later served as the Associate District Manager in the Southeastern States District and completed several details as Acting District Manager in Idaho and Eastern States.
“We are excited to welcome Lance Brady as the new Gila District Manager. With his deep roots in the state and extensive leadership experience in geospatial technology, fire management, and UAS programs, Lance brings a wealth of knowledge that will greatly benefit our team. We look forward to his leadership and vision as he steps into this role,” said Raymond Suazo, Arizona State Director, BLM.
Brady holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from Northern Arizona University, with additional studies in anthropology at Eastern Arizona College and aviation technology at Cochise College.
He has been married to his wife, Shannon, for more than 30 years and they share a love for traveling and spending quality time with their four children and three grandchildren. He enjoys exploring the deserts of the Southwest on the many backroads, upland bird hunting, and occasionally fishing.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.