Oregon State Forester Resigns from High-Paying Post

Oregon State Forester Cal Mukumoto has resigned from his $237,288 post amid budgetary criticism and allegations of mismanagement.

His resignation, effective from January 23, was announced by Jim Kelly, chair of the Board of Forestry yesterday (Thursday).

Mukumoto’s resignation follows criticism over a funding shortfall during Oregon’s calamitous 2024 wildfire season, personnel investigations into top management, and complaints about agency culture.

Mukumoto was appointed to his post in 2021. He was responsible for a biennial budget of $577 million and managing about 1,400 employees.

ODF Suffered Controversies During Mukumoto’s Tenure

The ODF suffered several controversial problems during Mukumoto’s tenure.

He was held responsible for the ODF’s budget shortfall during last year’s wildfire season that saw the Legislature approving $82 million during a special session to pay firefighters and support staff who were called out during the record-breaking wildfires that scorched more than 1.9 million acres across Oregon.

Then, in October, complaints were lodged against management-level ODF workers by employees claiming ‘a hostile culture’ toward women. They also alleged a lack of diversity and said they feared retaliatory action.

The ODF’s second highest-ranking official, Mike Shaw, was dismissed last fall after an investigation that confirmed a long-standing sexual relationship with a subordinate. Another internal investigation found that a top manager, Mike Wilson, had violated ODF rules by remarking on the size of a subordinate’s genitals while having drinks after work.

At least 12 complaints have been lodged since early 2023 with the Oregon Department of Administrative Services alleging discrimination. The department has confirmed that eight complaints remain open.