Angie Lara selected as BLM California associate state director

Bureau of Land Management California State Director Jim Kenna announced the selection of Angie Lara as BLM California’s new associate state director.

Lara has served as the district manager for BLM’s Colorado River District in Arizona for almost two years. Previous to that, she served as the associate district manager in the Southern Nevada District in Las Vegas for 10 years, during which she also collaterally served as the Las Vegas field manager and assistant district manager for special legislation.

Prior to that Lara was the Equal Employment Opportunity manager for BLM-New Mexico for about five years. During this time she also served as the BLM’s acting field manager in Carlsbad.

“Angie’s extensive experience in public service and public land management will be a tremendous asset to BLM California,” said Kenna. “Her enthusiasm and expertise will significantly contribute to the management of our public lands.”

Lara also worked for BLM in Washington, D.C., in the national Civil Rights Office for five years. During this time she graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies and Management Technology.

“I strongly believe in the bureau’s multiple-use mission, said Lara. “I am passionate about our role in our communities and the employees who work so hard to steward our public lands.”

Lara is no stranger to BLM California. She was raised in Sacramento and started her BLM career in Sacramento as the secretary in Cadastral Survey in 1983.  She will report to the Sacramento State Office the week of Jan. 22 and replaces former Associate State Director James Wesley Abbott who retired in September.

Lara and husband Arturo have five children.

The BLM manages 15.2 million acres of public lands in California, which includes 1.6 million acres in northwestern Nevada, 47 million acres of subsurface mineral estate, and spectacular conservation lands throughout the state. BLM California also administers major programs on public lands, including development of renewable energy, fire, grazing, recreation, lands and realty, wilderness, wildlife, and abandoned land mines.