Ohio Ag Connection - ODNR Names New Chiefs for Forestry and Geological Survey

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ODNR Names New Chiefs for Forestry and Geological Survey
Ohio Ag Connection - 02/21/2019

Two Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) employees were recently promoted at the department, with Mike Angle named the new chief of the ODNR Division of Geological Survey, and Dan Balser named the new chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry.

"Mike and Dan are both passionate about their respective divisions and will lead their staff to continue to be stewards of our great natural resources and excellent resources for Ohioans," said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. "We are excited for them to move forward into these new roles."

Angle worked as the assistant chief of the ODNR Division of Geological Survey since 2012. Previously, he was the geologist supervisor for the Geologic Mapping and Industrial Minerals Group and mapping geologist for the regional geology section. Angle has also used his skills in the ODNR Division of Water Resources, where he served as the mapping geologist and senior mapping geologist for the groundwater section. Angle has authored more than 20 maps and more than a dozen articles and publications on various aspects of Ohio's geology and hydrogeology.

The ODNR Division of Geological Survey is the state's oldest natural resources agency, established by the state legislature in 1837 as the Geological Survey of Ohio. The division provides geological information and services needed for responsible management of Ohio's natural resources.

Angle earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in geology from the University of Akron, with a specialty in glacial geology and hydrogeology.

Since 2011, Balser has served as assistant chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry, managing all administrative aspects of the division, including fiscal operations, human resources, the urban, service and forest health programs, as well as communications. He has also served as the forest health program administrator and as an urban forester for the division.

As chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry, Balser will oversee operations at more than 200,000 acres of Ohio's state forests and lead the work of promoting sustainable management of Ohio's 8 million forested acres, including 5.8 million acres of family-owned forest land through the division's Service Forestry Program. Additionally, he will oversee assisting local communities with tree care, planting and inventory through the Urban Forestry Program as well as work to safeguard Ohio's woodlands from wildfires, insects and diseases.

Balser earned a bachelor's degree in natural resources, majoring in forest resource management, and a master's degree in natural resources management, both from The Ohio State University.

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