DNRC Northeastern Land Office Names Jocee Hedrick As New Area Manager

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Northeastern Land Office has announced the appointment of Jocee Hedrick as the new Land Office Area Manager. Hedrick officially started in the position Aug. 26, 2024, following the retirement of former Northeastern Land Office Area Manager Clive Rooney, who served as the area manager for the past 22 years.

“I’m thankful for the great service Clive has provided to the State of Montana for the past 22 years, and I am very excited to have someone of Jocee’s caliber and character willing to step up and take over as our next Area Manager for the Northeastern Land Office,” said DNRC Forestry and Trust Lands Division Administrator Shawn Thomas.

As the area manager, Hedrick oversees operations within DNRC’s Forestry and Trust Lands Division across the Northeastern Land Office. The Forestry and Trust Lands Division is responsible for the program administration and management of trust lands along with planning and implementing forestry and fire management programs.

Hedrick grew up in a ranching family in northwest South Dakota before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Rangeland Ecology & Management from Montana State University Bozeman in 2011. She started with the DNRC Southern Land Office as a Land Use Specialist in 2013 and was promoted to the Northeastern Land Office Lewistown Unit Manager in 2019.

“I’m excited for this new role and to continue serving the citizens of Montana, who have entrusted us with managing their state trust lands,” said Hedrick. “I am deeply grateful for Clive Rooney’s dedication to the Northeastern Land Office and will strive to execute the mission of the DNRC in the same manner.”

The Northeastern Land Office manages 1.7 million acres of state trust land across 13 counties, including Wheatland, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Chouteau, Hill, Blaine, Phillips, Valley, Daniels, Roosevelt and Sheridan counties. The land office has two units, located in Lewistown and Glasgow. Hedrick will work out of the Northeastern Land Office in Lewistown.