The open competition for the position of Director General of the State Forest Service (VMD) has concluded. Arvīds Ozols has been named the winner.

Arvīds Ozols' most recent place of employment is the Ministry of Agriculture, where he has held various positions since 1993. He has served as Deputy State Secretary for Forest Affairs, State Minister for Forests, and, since 1997, Director of the Forest Department. Alongside this role, Mr Ozols has also been the acting Director General of the VMD since August of last year.

In parallel with his direct professional duties, the incoming VMD Director General has also been involved in the work of international organisations. In 2015, Arvīds Ozols chaired the European Council Working Party on Forestry, Genetic Resources and Environmental Issues; prior to that, he spent several years as Vice-Chair and later as Chair of the Bureau for sessions of the United Nations Forum on Forests.

The future head of the VMD holds a degree in forestry engineering from the Forestry Faculty of the Latvia University of Agriculture and is fluent in English.