October 19, 2019 - The Sierra National Forest is happy to announce the arrival of Kris Gibson as their new Partnership Liaison Specialist. Kris has been working as a Resource 
Assistant Intern on the Sierra for the past two years, a job that helped define her new position.
(Left) Kris Gibson Credit: USFS/SIerra National Forest
Kris was born in Washington DC of a mother who immigrated from the Philippines and a refugee father from Cambodia. Kris moved from the DC area to the central valley at the age of 6, and here new hometown of Clovis. In elementary school, her class took a field trip to the Big Fresno Fair where she met Smokey. Kris became obsessed with Smokey and told her parents that one day she was going to work with Smokey Bear.
Kris has worked many different jobs from restaurant waitress, working in the firearms industry, to a barista at Starbucks. In 2017, she was able to earn her degree in Organizational Leadership from Arizona State University with her tuition fully paid by Starbucks through their College Achievement Program.
After graduating, Kris wanted to work for an organization or agency she was passionate about. She scored an internship in the Resource Assistants Program through Mobilize Green. She is very pleased she can say she is fulfilling her childhood dream of working with Smokey Bear to help conserve and protect our forests, something that Kris is passionate about.
We asked Kris a few questions about what she is looking forward to in her new position on the Sierra? “I am looking forward to working alongside people that are passionate about the work they do and developing a better partnership program that will help improve the relationships, collaboration and partnerships that can benefit the Sierra to become a more sustainable and resilient forest for years to come,” she stated.
What is the most exciting thing that you have been a part of so far, or plan to be a part of? Kris said, “I’m excited about developing relationships/partnerships with others and hearing their stories.”
What is your favorite place in the Forest? “There are so many wonderful places to visit on the Sierra National Forest but, I’d have to say my favorite is Mono Hot Springs.”
Kris is happily married, she and her husband live here in Clovis with their 14yr old dog, Holly. She loves to meet new people (and new dogs). Kris’s a dog lover, enjoys traveling, cooking, watching Oakland A’s baseball and West Ham United (English Premier League) football.
She is a welcomed asset to the Sierra National Forest Family. If you are interested in becoming a partner of the Sierra or would like more information about how your organization can become a partner in helping manage your forest, please get in contact with Kris she is very eager to hear from you. She can be reached at kristine.gibson@usda.gov, 559-297-0706 ext 4921
Source: Sierra National Forest
