“Andy’s years of experience across the range of natural resource program areas and his prior experience as a district ranger will make him a valuable asset to the districts and the communities we serve,” said Forest Supervisor Allen Nicholas.

Gaston replaces former district ranger Angela Gee, who resigned the position in December after accepting a job on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado. 

“This is a dream job for me, and I bring with me a deep sense of appreciation and optimism about what the future holds for the Cheoah and Tusquitee Ranger Districts,” Gaston said. “I look forward to building strong and lasting relationships with employees, neighbors, friends and partners.”

Originally from North Georgia, Gaston has had a 30-year government career spanning numerous natural resource management and administrative programs in the U.S. Forest Service, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He has previously worked as district ranger in the Chattahoochee-Oconee national forests and served as acting district ranger on the Cheoah and Tuisquitee districts in 2014. His last job was as the trails program supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service Enterprise Program, a mobile workforce that provides expertise where needed.