Conservation chief sees forest for trees

By Susan M. Cover

AUGUSTA – Sixteen months ago, Bill Beardsley left his job as president of Husson University to run for governor…

…Now, he finds himself working for one of his former rivals — Gov. Paul LePage — as commissioner of the Department of Conservation.

…When nominating him for the position in December, LePage said Beardsley’s resume was so varied — a state planner in Vermont, hydroelectric vice president in Maine, forest products director in Alaska — he had trouble deciding where best to use his talents.

…”I’ve always asked, what’s the economic value, what’s the present worth,” Beardsley said during a recent interview in his Augusta office.

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