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Esteban Krause Explains Challenge at Conaf and Clarifies That Appointment Was Not Due to "Having a Reserved Position"

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In an interview with Diario La Tribuna, the former communal chief of Los Ángeles explained how the negotiations took place and when he was offered the position, as well as revealing his motivations for returning to an institution where he had previously worked in two different periods.

Last week a mayor, today the regional director of the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf). That is the present of Esteban Krause, the former communal chief of Los Ángeles for 12 years who, just days after leaving office, has already taken on a new challenge.

It was this past Monday that Krause announced through his Instagram account that he would become the regional director of Conaf, an institution where he worked in two periods—before serving as provincial governor (between 1988 and 2002) and prior to his tenure as mayor (2010 and 2012).

With no time for rest and focused on his new tasks, the professional forestry engineer discusses in an interview with Diario La Tribuna his motivations for returning to Conaf, explains how the negotiations unfolded, and clarifies that this appointment was not due to an obligation stemming from his previous work in the organization.

INTERVIEW

-First of all, how do you take on this role? What are the challenges following this appointment?

-I take it with great responsibility and also enthusiasm, because I’m returning to an institution I know, where I worked, and where I spent a large part of my life as a public employee. I feel that Conaf has made significant progress in all areas of action, especially in combating forest fires, and based on my experience, I can contribute in some specific ways to the institution. So, I’m very excited because I’ve returned to where I started.

Tell us—perhaps many people have forgotten that before becoming governor, you held a position at Conaf. Is it the same role you’ll be performing now?

-I joined Conaf in 1988, held various positions at the provincial level, became provincial chief until 2000, and from 2000 to 2002, I was regional director—so this is the second time I’ve held the same position.

-And when you returned to Conaf in 2010, what role did you take on?

-When I finished my term as governor in March 2010, I returned to Conaf to the same role I had in 1988—as a professional forestry engineer. I started from the bottom again.

-So, this appointment wasn’t due to legal succession but rather a decision by government authorities?

-The Minister of Agriculture (Esteban Valenzuela) and the national director of Conaf (Aída Baldini) decided that I would be the regional director, but not because I had a reserved position or a guaranteed spot. I had stopped being a public employee when I became mayor (…) My résumé shows that I’m qualified for the role.

-How were these past few weeks? When were you called to be offered the position?

-This conversation with the national director happened this past Wednesday, on my second-to-last day as mayor. After considering it, it was confirmed on Friday afternoon.

-How have your first days as regional director of Conaf been? What’s coming up in the next few weeks?

-I’ve been handling some protocol activities. I had a meeting with the Regional Minister of Agriculture (Pamela Gatti) and the regional director of Senapred (Alejandro Sandoval), focusing mainly on forest fires, which is our biggest concern at this time. (We’re) coordinating and confirming what Conaf had already done.

-Regarding forest fires, what is your message for the upcoming season?

-Beyond what we at Conaf do, I believe it’s necessary to reinforce the responsibility of other institutions in fire prevention. I’m referring, for example, to municipalities, which have a very important role in raising awareness about fires.

Source:La Tribuna