As Chief of the Division of Forestry, Dan Balser oversees the management of more than 200,000 acres of state forest land and ODNR’s efforts to protect forests and promote sustainable use of Ohio’s renewable forest resources. Dan has worked at ODNR since 1985 and earned his bachelor’s degree in Forest Resource management and master’s degrees in Natural Resources Management from the Ohio State University. His previous positions with the Division of Forestry include Urban Forester, Forest Health Program Administrator, Woodlands Job Corps Program Manager, and Assistant Chief.

A native of Chagrin Falls, Dan lives in Licking County and enjoys hunting, fishing, and rooting for the Indians, Browns, and Buckeyes in his free time.