January 5, 2026
Heather Berklund, DoF DA
After a highly competitive hiring process, I am excited to announce Jake Walcisak as our new Division of Forestry’s Deputy Division Administrator (DDA)! He will begin serving in this role on January 12th maintaining his office at the Prentice Ranger Station. Jake brings nearly 17 years of hands-on forestry experience spanning private lands, county forests, and state programs, with a career grounded in field operations, applied management, and public service.
Jake began his career with the Department in law enforcement before transitioning into forestry through field-based roles that included forestry technician (including wildland fire and prescribed burning), recreation coordination, then progressing through assistant and county forest administrator positions, statewide leadership as President of the Wisconsin County Forests Association, and most recently state and national leadership roles in forest certification, including service on the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) U.S. Board of Directors.
Jake worked on the Florence County Forest and later served as the Taylor County Forest Administrator, bringing 15 years of experience within the Wisconsin County Forest Program to his leadership. During this time, he also owned and operated a private forestry consulting business, frequently working on MFL lands, supporting the forestry and wildlife needs of Wisconsin’s private forest landowners.
Jake will be assisting with a transition plan for his current role as our Certification Program coordinator and will take some time to get fully embedded into our leadership teams. In the meantime, please help me welcome Jake in his new leadership role!
A message from Jake:
Throughout my career, I have stayed closely connected to field operations, understanding firsthand the demands placed on forestry staff across programs and landscapes. My leadership philosophy focuses on supporting autonomy, fostering a positive and balanced work environment, encouraging individual growth, and working toward meaningful goals.
I live in Prentice with my wife and three children. Outside of work, I spend my time hunting, managing my own forestland, coaching youth sports and staying closely connected to the working forests and rural communities we serve.
I am excited to step into this role and look forward to working alongside staff and partners to support a strong workforce, resilient forest programs, and sustainable forest management across Wisconsin.
