The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests’ Gunnison Ranger District has welcomed Aaron Drendel as its new deputy district ranger. He brings more than 20 years of public lands experience and a long history of working collaboratively within the Gunnison community.
Drendel, who has lived in Gunnison since 2013, said stepping into a leadership role felt like a natural extension of his years working locally with the district and regional office.
“I’ve lived here a long time and worked in a lot of roles locally,” Drendel said. “This position felt like the right opportunity to take what I’ve learned over the years and put it to work for the Gunnison Ranger District.”
Drendel has served in land management roles across the world through his work with the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Peace Corps and Forest Service. He says those experiences shaped his commitment to public service and collaborative leadership.
“I work from a very collaborative approach,” he said. “The more the public is involved in managing our lands and engaged, the better our outcomes.”
His current focus as deputy district ranger includes protecting and improving public access, supporting sustainable recreation and helping visitors experience the district’s diverse landscapes while understanding their role in caring for them.
Drendel holds a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. He began working on public lands in 1999 with the Student Conservation Association and considers his Peace Corps service in the Dominican Republic one of his most personally significant experiences.
As the largest district within the GMUG National Forests, the Gunnison Ranger District welcomes Drendel’s leadership as a valuable addition to the team.
“This new deputy ranger position expands the district’s capacity in a way that directly benefits our employees and our community,” said Dayle Funka, Gunnison district ranger with the GMUG National Forests. “The Gunnison Ranger District is incredibly dynamic, and having this added capacity helps us meet that complexity headon. Aaron’s collaborative leadership style complements mine and strengthens our team, allowing us to operate at a level we simply couldn’t reach with one district ranger.”
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