Arizona BLM director to be sworn in to office

The director for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Arizona will take the oath of office Tuesday.

Ray Suazo was designated at the state director in December. He replaces Jim Kenna, who was appointed to lead the BLM in California.

The agency’s national director, Robert Abbey, will administer the oath of office to Suazo in a ceremony in downtown Phoenix. Suazo says it’s an honor to take the oath on the 100th anniversary of Arizona’s statehood.

Suazo oversees nearly 500 employees, who are responsible for managing more than 12 million acres of surface land.

Suazo previously served as Arizona’s associate director, deputy state director and public information officer. He also has worked for the U.S. Forest Service and served in the U.S. Air Force.