"I want to ensure traditional uses of the land - like grazing - while maintaining healthy rangeland and tourism needs," Rene Berkhoudt said Thursday. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to be a good steward of America's public lands."
Berkhoudt, who has been interim manager of the 1.9 million-acre monument in southern Utah's Kane and Garfield counties since late last year, was promoted to permanent boss Thursday.
He hopes to ease economic concerns in the surrounding, tourism-reliant communities by contracting locally for recreation providers and stewardship programs on the monument.
Berkhoudt lives in Kanab, where the monument is headquartered. A veteran of 22 years in the Army, he worked for the Bureau of Land Management for six years in New Mexico before coming to Utah in December to act as Grand Staircase's interim manager.
"He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in managing people and projects and is very familiar with Utah and the Southwest," said Selma Sierra, the BLM's state director.
Berkhoudt replaces Brad Exton, who retired last fall.
mhavnes@sltrib.com
About Rene Berkhoudt
* Earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Maryland and a master's degree in human relations at the University of Oklahoma.
* Retired from the Army as a warrant officer after 22 years.
* Employed for a year with New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources.
* Worked for six years in the Bureau of Land Management's Santa Fe office.
* Named interim manager of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in December and selected as manager last week.
* Married to Elizabeth; they have one adult daughter.
