News Release Archive

New Deputy Regional Director Selected for Reclamation's Great Plains Region

Media Contact: Tyler Johnson, (406) 247-7609, 03/03/2015 00:00

For Release: March 03, 2015

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Great Plains Regional Director Michael J. Ryan announced today the selection of Christopher Beardsley as Deputy Regional Director for the Bureau of Reclamation's Great Plains Region, headquartered in Billings, Mont.

"Christopher will fill a critical role on my management team in Billings," said Ryan. "He has a distinguished management career that will serve our customers well. He brings a tremendous breadth of Reclamation experience and knowledge to his position."

Beardsley will assist Ryan in managing Reclamation facilities and programs in the Great Plains Region. The region encompasses all or parts of nine states, from Montana and North Dakota, to the southern tip of Texas. The Great Plains Region manages 80 dams and reservoirs, providing irrigation for 2.2 million acres of cropland producing more than $1 billion in agriculture products annually. The Great Plains Region manages 21 power plants that produce enough electricity to meet the needs of about 250,000 households.

Beardsley was previously the Deputy Area Manager for Reclamation's Snake River Area Office, based in Boise, Idaho. As Deputy Area Manager, he was responsible for the operation of water and power facilities from eastern Oregon to western Wyoming. Beardsley directly oversees all activities within the Middle Snake Field Office, which includes 17 dams and three power plants. He began his federal career with Reclamation in 1992, serving as an International Affairs Specialist for the Commissioner's Office in Washington, D.C. Beardsley has a Bachelor of Business Administration from James Madison University.

Beardsley replaces Deputy Regional Director Gary Campbell, who retired in March 2015.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.