Dr. Valerie Hipkins

Dr. Valerie Hipkins joined the Regional Directorate Team as the Assistant Regional Director for Science Applications for the North Atlantic-Appalachian region in August 2020.  

Valerie previously worked for the U.S. Forest Service's Assistant Station Director for Research, located in Davis, CA where she was responsible for science quality assurance and relevance, policy formulation, and the development of scientific research programs.  During her 27-year career with the U.S. Forest Service, Valerie has held various leadership assignments including Program Manager at the Pacific Southwest Research Station,  National lead for Reforestation and Nurseries, and Director of the National Forest Genetics Lab. She recently served as the Acting Station Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station.  In this role, she managed 34 scientists, eight research facilities, and 14 experimental forests, watersheds, and ranges in California, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands. 

Valerie received her BS in Forestry from Humboldt State University, and her MS and PhD in Forestry and Genetics from Oregon State University.  Valerie and her husband John have two grown children and they enjoy travelling and eating international cuisine.