PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - The Bureau of Land Management California Desert District has selected Brandon Anderson to serve as the field manager for the Palm Springs - South Coast Field Office. In his role, Anderson oversees the management of about 1.7-million acres of public lands in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. Anderson started his position on July 15.

"Brandon brings a wealth of experience to the role and has an exceptional ability to build meaningful relationships with stakeholders, local communities, and fellow land managers," said Shelly Lynch, California Desert District Manager. "We are thrilled to have Brandon lead this field office and his unwavering dedication to public lands makes him an invaluable asset to our team."

Anderson started his career with the BLM in 2009 as a realty specialist intern for the California State Office, while finishing his degree in finance, real estate, and land use at California State University, Sacramento. He spent five years as a realty specialist working on complex actions such as renewable energy and was a member of the first Roads to Realty cohort that trained new realty specialists in the BLM. After graduating with his master's degree in urban land development and public policy in 2014, he became a realty specialist and project manager in the Palm Springs - South Coast Field Office.

Anderson most recently spent five years as the BLM California Desert District's project support assistant district manager, leading the team responsible for managing renewable energy projects across the roughly 11 million acres of public lands managed by the District. During his tenure, he and his team permitted more than 2500 megawatts of renewable energy and pioneered implementation of the first projects covered under the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.

"I am incredibly grateful to have this opportunity and will work hard to uphold my obligations to the community and team I serve," said Anderson.

Anderson and his wife are long term residents of the Coachella Valley. Together, they enjoy exploring public lands, including Anderson's personal favorite places of Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, Sand to Snow National Monument, and the California Coastal National Monument. In his personal time, Anderson enjoys finding solitude among the ancient oaks in the Beauty Mountain Wilderness or the twisted slot canyons in the Mecca Hills Wilderness. Anderson has two pups, Huckleberry and Finnegan.