The Bureau of Land Management New Mexico has announced the appointment of Al Elser as the Farmington district manager. Elser was sworn in to his position at a ceremony in Farmington on Dec. 11 by BLM New Mexico State Director Tim Spisak.
As the Farmington district manager, Elser will oversee 150 employees, 2 million acres of public lands, and 7 million acres of Federal oil, natural gas and minerals managed for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Farmington District includes both the Farmington and Taos Field offices. In managing the lands and mineral resources in the district, the BLM is guided by principles of multiple use and sustained yield.
Prior to Elser’s appointment, he served at the BLM Headquarters Office in Washington, DC as the deputy division chief for solid minerals, beginning in January 2015. From January to December 2018, and again from March to November 2019, Elser served as the acting division chief for solid minerals.
Elser received his master’s in geology and his doctorate in chemistry with a concentration in geochemistry from Georgia State University. He received his bachelor of science degree in geology from University of Wyoming.
Elser replaces Victoria Barr, who accepted the position as the branch chief of program operations at the BLM National Operations Center in Denver.
