NANCY PARACHINI
Petaluma,USA
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience at the USDA, excelling in program management and stakeholder engagement. Proven track record in budgeting and operational efficiency, driving multimillion-dollar initiatives. Adept at fostering team development and enhancing regulatory compliance, resulting in improved service delivery across national forests. Committed to advancing natural resource management goals.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Director of Public Services
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) FOREST SERVICE
05.2019 - 05.2025
- Collaborated with Director of Public Services to lead and manage complex programs across 18 national forests in California.
- Supervised seven senior program managers to ensure effective team performance.
- Facilitated communication between internal and external stakeholders to enhance customer service.
- Conducted program reviews in national forests to assess compliance with policies and standards.
- Supported employee recruitment and training to foster an inclusive work environment.
- Spearheaded initiatives for operational efficiency and productivity improvements.
- Developed long-range plans for growth, resulting in increased annual sales.
- Liaised with federal, state, and regional organizations to coordinate activities and share best practices.
Acting Assistant Director, Lands and Realty Management
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Washington D.C.
03.2021 - 07.2021
- National leadership, and supervision for the Lands and Realty Management program within the National Forest System (NFS).
- Represented the Director when needed.
- Coordinated with broad array of internal and external partners with programs that included access, leasing, land acquisition, land exchange, survey, and geographic information systems (GIS).
- Oversight and management of high-level technical, policy, and budget communications with legislative affairs, the Office of the Secretary, and other government agencies and institutions.
- Lead the implementation of COVID-era staffing policies and procedures with Washington D.C.–based and remote staff.
- Supervised 5, GS-14 National Program Leads.
- Continued lead roles in communication and management internally and with non-governmental partners for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
- Established budgets and tracked expenses to drive operational efficiency.
- Developed and managed a team of 10 employees to ensure efficient operations of the organization.
- Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Conducted training sessions on new processes or products for internal staff members.
- Maintained close relationships with key stakeholders while managing expectations.
- Established standards of excellence for customer service delivery throughout the organization.
- Organized team activities to build camaraderie and foster pleasant workplace culture.
- Evaluated existing systems and processes in order to recommend improvements.
- Oversaw employee relations issues such as grievances, disciplinary actions and terminations.
- Provided support in the recruitment and training of new staff members.
- Prepared reports and presentations for executive leadership review.
- Collaborated with other departments to improve interdepartmental communication.
- Facilitated regular cross-functional meetings between teams to ensure alignment on objectives.
- Managed daily workflow of personnel by assigning tasks, tracking progress and providing assistance when needed.
- Conducted performance evaluations and recommended areas for improvement.
- Assisted in developing and implementing strategic plans to achieve organizational goals.
- Facilitated team meetings to discuss progress and address challenges.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Evaluated individual and team business performance and identified opportunities for improvement.
- Assisted in developing strategic plans to meet organizational goals and objectives.
- Provided guidance to departmental staff in resolving customer complaints.
National Land Adjustment Program Leader, Lands and Realty Management
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Washington D.C.
10.2010 - 05.2019
- National leadership, management and budget development for the Lands and Realty Management program focused on land purchase, public access, land donation, land exchange, and land conveyance within the National Forest System (NFS).
- National Program leader for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program (LWCF) for NFS.
- Responsible for all aspects of this high-visibility program with a $50-million yearly budget.
- Responsible for strategic budget planning, staffing, and execution; internal and external communications, education and training, political awareness, and communication agency wide.
- Provided realty expertise, policy guidance, conflict resolution, and communication with Agency and Departmental leadership, legislative affairs, and other staffs in support of NFS, Forest Service and USDA goals and objectives.
- Engaged in high-level written and oral communication, interaction, and planning with Congressional staff, Agency and Departmental leadership, Office of Management and Budget, conservation partners, industry, landowners, and members of the public.
- Conducted interdisciplinary work with other NFS staffs to fully integrate natural resource management goals into land adjustment work, including Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers, recreation, wildlife, restoration, and other disciplines.
- Supervised one full-time detached staff and one summer intern.
National Forest System Deputy Area Budget Office, Budget Coordinator
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Washington D.C.
08.2017 - 12.2017
- Served as National Budget Coordinator managing several NFS staffs: Recreation, Heritage and Volunteer Resources, Wilderness Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Lands and Realty Management.
- Provided budget oversight, analysis, and information for current and out-year budgets and appropriations including Washington D.C. office and regional budgeting processes.
- Oversaw detailed multi-staff development of outcome specific budget priorities such as special uses modernization.
Chief of Staff to the Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Washington D.C.
06.2015 - 09.2015
- Served as Chief of Staff to Arthur “Butch” Blazer, Deputy Under Secretary (DUS) in the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), USDA.
- Supported DUS leadership and coordination within NRE and other USDA, federal, state, and tribal contacts.
- Part of leadership team with senior NRE and other Departmental staff responsible for legislative and policy items, communications with the Office of the Secretary, Council on Environmental Quality, and the White House.
- Acted as liaison between Mr. Blazer and the Offices of the Chief and Deputy Chiefs at the Forest Service.
- Managed DUS schedule, briefing preparation, and oversight.
- Advised on Agency and Departmental policy issues, including tribal relations, national monuments, environmental justice, diversity and youth development, climate change, and national fire policy.
Forest Legacy Program Specialist, Cooperative Forestry, State and Private Forestry
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Washington D.C.
01.2007 - 10.2010
- National program leadership, budget, planning and program management for all aspects of the Forest Legacy Program (FLP), a multimillion-dollar program that provides grants to states to protect forests for timber, wildlife, recreation, and other forest uses.
- Responsible for high-level written and oral communication, interaction, and planning with Congressional staff, Agency and Departmental leadership, Office of Management and Budget, conservation partners, industry, landowners, and members of the public.
- Interacted, planned, and coordinated with non-governmental and state forestry and wildlife agencies, partners, tribes, and interagency committees dedicated to private forest conservation and stewardship.
- Supervised final rule publication for the Community Forest Open Space Program, authorized on the 2008 Farm Bill.
Land Protection Specialist
Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy
Bay City, MI
02.2004 - 12.2006
- Managed all aspects of property acquisition, easement monitoring and stewardship.
- Negotiated and drafted conservation easements with landowners and others.
- Worked with landowners and community members, often involving personal family issues around realty assets, family legacy, and identity in the community.
- Provided GIS mapping, nature preserve management, plant identification, invasive species eradication, contracting for controlled burns.
Washtenaw Land Trust
Ann Arbor, MI
09.2002 - 12.2003
- GIS mapping, natural resource inventory, conservation easement drafting and landowner outreach.
- Wetland delineation and plant identification.
Great Lakes Ecosystems
Indian River, MI
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Identified plants and wetlands in forested and dune ecosystems in Northwest Michigan.
- Provided GIS analysis for Ann Arbor’s 'Greenbelt' campaign, Ann Arbor, MI.
Volunteer bird-bander
Rouge River Bird Observatory
Dearborn, MI
01.2001 - 06.2002
- Assisted with spring and fall mist netting of migratory songbirds in an urban setting.
Volunteer
United States Peace Corps
Democratic Republic of Niger
10.1995 - 03.1998
- Organized women’s agricultural cooperatives integrated with nutrition training for families and children.
- Taught agroforestry and soil restoration.
- Created liaison position to facilitate communication and cooperation among Nigerien and international development groups.
- Languages: French, Hausa
Education
M.S. - Terrestrial Ecology
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor School for Environment and Sustainability
Ann Arbor01.2002
B.A. - Philosophy and Comparative Religious Studies
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN01.1992
Skills
- Leadership and team development
- Supervision and program management
- Budgeting and financial planning
- Stakeholder engagement
- Regulatory compliance
- Operational efficiency
- Natural resource management
- Real estate management
Training And Awards
- Wilderness Leadership for Managers, 2021
- National Environmental Policy Act Training (NEPA), 2016
- Extraordinary Trail Partner Award, 2015
- US Forest Service: Senior Leader Program Class 8, 2011
- US Forest Service: Lands Training for Line Officers, 2010
- Congressional Operations Briefing, Woods Institute, 2009
- Chief’s Honor Award, Protecting Open Space, 2010
Affiliations
- Pilates Instructor Training. Certification expected Spring 2026
Accomplishments
- Extraordinary Trail Partner Award, The Partnership for the National Trails System, 2015
- Chief’s Honor Award, Protecting Open Space, 2010
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Acting Assistant Director, Lands and Realty Management
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
03.2021 - 07.2021
Deputy Director of Public Services
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) FOREST SERVICE
05.2019 - 05.2025
National Forest System Deputy Area Budget Office, Budget Coordinator
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
08.2017 - 12.2017
Chief of Staff to the Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
06.2015 - 09.2015
National Land Adjustment Program Leader, Lands and Realty Management
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
10.2010 - 05.2019
Forest Legacy Program Specialist, Cooperative Forestry, State and Private Forestry
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
01.2007 - 10.2010
Land Protection Specialist
Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy
02.2004 - 12.2006
Washtenaw Land Trust
09.2002 - 12.2003
Great Lakes Ecosystems
01.2001 - 01.2003
Volunteer bird-bander
Rouge River Bird Observatory
01.2001 - 06.2002
Volunteer
United States Peace Corps
10.1995 - 03.1998
M.S. - Terrestrial Ecology
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor School for Environment and Sustainability
B.A. - Philosophy and Comparative Religious Studies
Indiana University
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