RICHMOND -- Gov. Bob McDonnell has reappointed Carl Garrison as the state forester of Virginia.

McDonnell announced the reappointment Monday.

Garrison has held the position since November 2004. As state forester, he leads the 265-employee Virginia Department of Forestry. The agency is responsible for overseeing nearly 16 million acres of forestland in Virginia as well as protecting residents and their property from the damages of wildfires.

Garrison has worked for the department for 23 years. He also serves as chairman of the Southern Group of State Foresters and has a leadership role in the National Association of State Foresters.

-- Associated Press