COLVILLE — Laura Jo West, a U.S. Forest Service employee since 1989, has been selected to replace Rick Brazell as supervisor of the Colville National Forest.
     West, currently Bradshaw District ranger for the Prescott National Forest in Arizona, started her outdoor career when she finished high school at 16 and moved to Wyoming to work with cattle and horses, the Forest Service said.
     During her 20-year career with the Forest Service, West has served as a recreation, lands and minerals staff officer, wild and scenic river roadless coordinator and district ranger, and has been appointed to a number of regional and national task forces.
     She enjoys hiking, skiing, fishing and breeding American Paint and Quarter horses.
     She will assume the Colville National Forest supervisor's position in late March 2010.